Attorney General Moody Will Challenge Biden’s Use of OSHA to Force Unlawful Health Policy on Florida Workers and Companies

Attorney General Ashley Moody will take legal action to stop President Joe Biden’s unlawful vaccine mandate for workers at companies with 100 or more employees. President Biden is forcing the unlawful health policy through the U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA. Biden’s unprecedented step of requiring millions of Americans to be vaccinated under the guise of regulating the workplace follows a U.S. Supreme Court ruling against the president’s attempt to use the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to enact an eviction moratorium. It also comes after the Biden administration declared that mandating vaccines is “not the role of the federal government.”

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “The remarkable ease at which this president will abandon the rule of law and separation of powers is astonishing and devastating to the autonomy of American workers. For this reason, I will take swift legal action to stop this unprecedented overreach by the federal government—to protect Florida and our workers from the unlawful edicts emanating from President Biden and his handlers. The president does not have the power to force health policy through a workplace safety department. That’s not what Congress intended when they created OSHA and it’s not a lawful use of the U.S. Department of Labor.” Read More

Attorney General Moody’s Actions Lead to More Than $7 Million in Recoveries for Travelers Left Empty Handed by BookIt

Attorney General Ashley Moody is taking legal action to ensure that consumers recover more than $7 million from the Florida-based online travel company BookIt Operating, LLC. According to an investigation by the Florida Attorney General’s Office, BookIt acted as an online third-party intermediary for airlines, car rentals and hotels. The company allegedly failed to disclose to consumers that it did not have funds for current bookings in the absence of new incoming bookings, and thousands of consumers in Florida and nationwide were left with no trip and initially no money back.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Throughout the pandemic, we worked closely with Floridians to ensure they were not being taken advantage of, and through that process we heard from consumers nationwide about thwarted travel plans and other issues they were experiencing with BookIt. I am pleased that our involvement in this matter has resulted in millions of dollars in relief for those affected.” Read More

CONSUMER ALERT: Cryptocurrency Bait-and-Switch Scam Popping Up in Florida

Attorney General Ashley Moody issued a Consumer Alert about a cryptocurrency scam targeting Floridians through Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms. The bait-and-switch investing scheme hooks targets by first helping them earn profits, then encouraging the targets to transfer funds to a fraudulent trading platform where the money is stolen. The Florida Attorney General’s Office has received nearly 100 complaints regarding these types of scams, with a major uptick during the last month.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “The allure of quick profits has drawn millions to cryptocurrency trading—with many new investors joining the market daily. Where there is opportunity though, there are also scammers—baiting victims with early success, then prompting them to transfer their profits to fraudulent trading platforms. We are seeing an uptick in reports of cryptocurrency bait-and-switch scams, and I want Floridians to know how to avoid falling prey.” Read More

Texas Man Arrested and Accomplice Still Wanted for Phone Store Burglary Spree in Florida

Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the arrest of a Texas man on charges related to a string of phone store burglaries in Florida. Texas authorities arrested Isaiah Johnson in Houston on unrelated charges. Johnson’s accomplice, Dequinnton Dejohn Hamilton, remains a fugitive at this time. According to a Florida law enforcement investigation, the Texas duo orchestrated and carried out several targeted burglaries on phone stores in Florida—causing thousands of dollars in damage to the businesses and stealing more than $163,000 worth of merchandise from the stores.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “This criminal duo broke the law in the wrong state and we will work to make sure they do not escape justice. Their crimes harmed Florida businesses as store owners were trying to make ends meet last year amid the pandemic. Their COVID-19 crime spree will earn these defendants an extreme lockdown and long-term social distancing behind bars in a Florida prison.” Read More

Attorney General Moody Announces Seven Arrests in Statewide $40 Million Workers’ Compensation Fraud Scheme

Attorney General Ashley Moody and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of seven individuals as a result of a workers’ compensation fraud investigation, which included multiple shell companies and a money laundering scheme. CFO Patronis’ Division of Investigative and Forensic Services conducted the operation with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations and the Florida Attorney General’s Office. In addition, during the arrest, more than $218,000 in cash was seized from the individuals.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “These defendants used elaborate money laundering tactics and shell corporations to conceal payroll information and avoid millions of dollars in insurance premiums. They thought they were getting away with their devious scheme, but state and federal law enforcement were already investigating their crimes. Now, they will face justice for committing workers compensation fraud—my Statewide Prosecutors will make sure of that.” Read More