Florida Attorney General - Volume 7, Issue 33

Publication of the Office of the Attorney General • Volume 7, Issue 33 • August 21, 2009

AG Hosts Housing Crisis Town Hall Meeting

Last Saturday, I hosted a town hall meeting in Tampa to discuss the housing crisis. With Florida's Interagency Mortgage Fraud Task Force, we provided over 200 attendees with a comprehensive approach for dealing with housing-related issues. Volunteer lawyers also pitched in to help give consumers guidance and advice.

When I started working on the plans to create the task force, I envisioned a group that would work together to solve Florida homeowners’ problems, no matter what those problems might be. It is so important, when we are dealing with a crisis of this magnitude, that governmental agencies and resources are working together to better assist Floridians in their time of need.

More town hall meetings will be held, and the task force will continue working to increase community outreach and education, because homeowners who are better educated and aware of their options can better prevent scams and fraud. Foreclosure rescue fraud continues to be a problem we’re fighting, like the Kissimmee-based company my office sued just today for targeting Central Florida Hispanics, the 15th civil mortgage fraud lawsuit we have filed to date.

I am proud to be part of this coordinated effort, and I look forward to the great results the task force will obtain for our citizens.

Hover over each image for a larger size.

A Marion County man has been taken into custody on charges of child pornography possession. Rodney Tundidor was arrested by law enforcement officers with the Attorney General's CyberCrime Unit, the Lake County Sheriff's Office and the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the Marion County Sheriff's Office and the Ocala Police Department.

Attorney General McCollum sued a Kissimmee-based company over allegations it targeted Hispanics in a foreclosure rescue fraud scheme. JPB Consulting Inc. and its president, Juan P. Bordali, allegedly charged up front fees of more than $1,000 per customer to homeowners about to lose their homes, but never performed any services. Charging fees up front before completing foreclosure rescue services is a direct violation of Florida's Foreclosure Rescue Fraud Prevention Act.

Attorney General McCollum hosted a Tampa town hall meeting with Florida's Interagency Mortgage Fraud Task Force to discuss the housing crisis. The event, designed to present a comprehensive approach for dealing with housing-related issues, provided community education and assistance to over 150 attendees. Participating agencies included state agencies, law enforcement, regulatory authorities, housing counselors and volunteer lawyers.

A Lee County woman was convicted for identity theft and scheming to defraud. Lotonyo Lyons could face up to 20 years in prison when she is sentenced in October. She was prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.

An Escambia County woman has been taken into custody for neglecting a disabled victim under her care. Jessica Jewitt-McLeod, a caregiver formerly employed by Pensacola Clusters Intermediate Care Facility, was arrested by the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit with assistance from the Escambia County Sheriff's Office.

Lee County Woman Found Guilty in ID Theft, Fraud Scheme

Attorney General: Leon County Ruling is Good Result for Sunshine

Kissimmee Foreclosure Rescue Company Sued for Fraud

Attorney General's Statement on Death of Tampa Police Officer

Marion County Man Arrested for Possession of Child Pornography

Escambia County Caregiver Arrested for Neglecting Disabled Victim

Attorney General McCollum Hosts Town Hall on Housing Issues

Attorney General McCollum issued astatement regarding Leon County Circuit Judge John Cooper’s ruling in the NCAA public records case:

“From the very beginning of this issue, I have urged the NCAA to release the public records in compliance with Florida’s law because our citizens have the right to access documents made or received in connection with official business. I am pleased that these records will now be made available and that Floridians will have access to a matter that is of great importance to so many.”

Attorney General McCollum issued a statement regarding the death of Cpl. Mike Roberts of the Tampa Police Department:

“My deepest sympathies go out to the family, friends and colleagues in uniform of Cpl. Mike Roberts, an 11-year Tampa Police veteran who lost his life last night while protecting his city. Cpl. Roberts was known for making public safety his top priority, and Tampa has lost an incredible public servant.”