In recent years, we have seen increased efforts to try to demonize our law enforcement heroes. These disingenuous attacks can influence our youth and create a chasm between law enforcement and the communities they have sworn an oath to protect.
It is vital to our state that we do everything in our power to build trust and respect between law enforcement and the communities they serve. This week, we took steps toward that end.
Joined by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, I announced a partnership to help build bonds between law enforcement and at-risk kids and teens.
Through an existing state administrative leave program, our respective agencies are encouraging law enforcement officers to mentor children through the Big Brothers Big Sisters Bigs in Blue Program. The program provides the framework for law enforcement to volunteer as one-on-one mentors to children in the communities they serve. The program has paired more than 3,000 children with mentors since its creation in 2017.
In June, I saw firsthand the impact this program has on local communities when I presented a Back the Blue Award to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. Ever since then, I have been working to enhance the reach of this effective program.
I believe our new partnership will have a tremendous effect on young people throughout Florida. And I am committed to ensuring that we, as a state, are supporting and promoting the good deeds and heroic actions of law enforcement. By doing this, we will help build a stronger, safer Florida.
In The News
Big Brothers Big Sisters partner with state agencies to expand mentorship with law enforcement communities, Tampa Bay Times
Ashley Moody, Pam Iorio, State Government Want Police Officers to Mentor Young Floridians, Florida Daily
Ashley Moody Names Appointees to Help the Fight Against Human Trafficking, Florida Daily
Educators being trained to watch for human trafficking, FOX 13 Tampa
CONSUMER ALERT: Tech Support Scammers Target Seniors, Florida Trend
Protecting Floridians
CONSUMER ALERT: Tech Support Scammers Target Seniors
Attorney General Ashley Moody issued a Consumer Alert with tips to help consumers identify, avoid and report online tech support scams. Tech support scams typically involve fake pop-up messages or imposter phone calls claiming that a consumer’s computer is infected with malware that poses imminent risk to the computer. Fraudsters will request virtual access to a victim’s computer to supposedly fix the nonexistent problem. These scammers often target Florida seniors.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Technology is such a major factor in all our lives, and as technology advances, so do the opportunities for scammers to use tech for nefarious purposes. It is reprehensible that anyone would take advantage of the anxiety caused by a computer problem and use fear to trick people into unneeded repairs. Our office was the first to take on tech support scams. We have brought more court actions to stop these scams than any other state in the union, and so far, we have recovered more than $7 million for consumers.” Read More
Attorney General Moody Announces Appointees to Direct Support Organization for the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking
Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the appointment of three individuals to the Direct Support Organization for the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking. Dr. Philip Toal, Savannah Parvu and Sara Mahoney will serve as the Attorney General’s appointees on the DSO board.House Bill 851 gave the Attorney General the authority to appoint three members to the DSO for the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking. The statute directs the Attorney General to appoint a mental health expert, a human trafficking survivor and one at-large appointee.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “In our fight to end human trafficking, we are going to need innovative solutions. These exceptional appointees to the Council’s new Direct Support Organization will bring new, broad and diverse perspectives to our mission. I am confident they will become invaluable members of our team.” Read More
Attorney General Moody Secures Millions in Multistate Settlement
Attorney General Ashley Moody joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in a multistate lawsuit against Cisco Systems, Inc. concerning security surveillance system software sold in Florida. The multistate investigation began after a whistleblower came forward under the False Claims Act to assert that Cisco’s software had major flaws rendering the system vulnerable to hackers. Despite learning of the exposure, Cisco failed to report or remedy this security flaw for several years.Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “I am proud of our office’s role in bringing this action against Cisco Systems. It is totally irresponsible for a company to blatantly ignore vulnerabilities in their computer systems software products that leave consumers’ information at risk. In this new age of technology, companies must vigilantly protect consumers’ private data, and our office will continue to hold responsible companies that carelessly expose Floridians’ sensitive information.” Read More
Events
This week, Attorney General Ashley Moody spoke at the annual Florida Sheriffs Association Summer Conference in Tampa. Attorney General Moody is committed to supporting Florida law enforcement and is proud to back the work that Florida Sheriffs do every day to protect Floridians.
Attorney General Moody with Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith at the FSA Summer Conference. Sheriff Smith thanked Attorney General Moody with a plaque for attending a Franklin County Sheriff's Office event in Apalachicola earlier this year.
Attorney General Moody with Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter at the FSA Summer Conference.
Attorney General Moody announcing a joint partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to encourage law enforcement mentoring.
Attorney General Moody with Florida Highway Patrol officers, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America CEO and President Pam Iorio, and Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agent in Charge Mark Brutnell in Tampa.
FHP Trooper Tod Cloud, FHP Colonel Gene Spaulding, AG Moody, BBBSA CEO and President Pam Iorio, FDLE Special Agent in Charge Mark Brutnell and FHP Lt. Colonel Troy Thompson
FHP Trooper Tod Cloud, FHP Colonel Gene Spaulding, AG Moody, BBBSA CEO and President Pam Iorio, FDLE Special Agent in Charge Mark Brutnell and FHP Lt. Colonel Troy Thompson
Attorney General Moody emceeing the Attorney General’s Office Consumer Protection Awards in Tampa.
Attorney General Moody presenting her Consumer Protection attorneys and investigators with awards for their hard work protecting Floridians from scams and fraud.
Attorney General Moody visiting Florida's Forensic Institute for Research, Security and Tactics facility in Pasco County. Organizations like FIRST will partner with the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking to aide research efforts and law enforcement training to combat human trafficking.
Attorney General Moody with Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco and Florida Representative Ardian Zika touring the future site of the Forensic Institute for Research, Security and Tactics.
Attorney General Moody speaking with News Service of Florida reporter Tom Urban in the Attorney General’s Capitol office about the impact of tech support scams and how consumers can avoid falling victim.
