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Promoting Transparency and Accountability
This legislative session, my top priority is a proposed bill to protect the Attorney General's Office from undue influence by requiring common-sense provisions for transparency and accountability, including a cap on contingency fees paid to outside counsel. While my office has already adopted these guidelines as a policy, the recent stories on corruption and scandal involving public officials amplify the need to see this policy become law.
This week, as one of three statewide officials who oversee Florida's public pension system, I proposed a similar framework for master agreements with a group of law firms selected to represent the State Board of Administration (SBA) in potential securities litigation. My proposal received unanimous support, ensuring that going forward there will be a $50 million cap on contingency fees paid to outside counsel and that these contracts will be subject to public scrutiny.
With the recent success of applying a cap on securities litigation contracts, I am optimistic about our chances of seeing the Transparency in Private Attorney Contracting bill, sponsored by Senator John Thrasher and Representative Eric Eisnaugle, become law this year. With these standards in place, we can make Florida a national leader in protecting the public's trust.
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A Manatee County man has been taken into custody on the charge that he sent pornographic material to someone he thought was a minor. Michael Seagraves was arrested by law enforcement officers with the Attorney General's CyberCrime Unit and the Bradenton Police Department with assistance from U.S Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
A Jackson County man has been arrested on charges of possession and promotion of child pornography. Charles Aaron Paulk was arrested by law enforcement officers with the Attorney General's CyberCrime Unit with assistance from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.
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Attorney General McCollum announced that Florida and 16 other attorneys general have joined the U.S. Department of Justice in an effort to protect consumers regarding the pending merger of Ticketmaster and Live Nation. As a result of the states' and federal government's efforts, the newly combined company is required to make significant changes to the merger agreement, including undertaking measures ensuring competition is preserved in primary ticketing services for events in the United States. Primary ticketing services include the maintenance of websites and call centers where tickets can be purchased initially for a venue event.
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Manatee Man in Custody After Sending Pornographic Images to Undercover Cybercrime Investigator
Jackson County Man Arrested on Charges of Promoting, Possessing Child Pornography
McCollum Names Jacksonville Sheriff's Deputy the 2009 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
Florida Joins Federal, Multistate Efforts to Protect Consumers in Merger of Ticket Conglomerates
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On February 9, join the Attorney General at a one-day conference, Strategies for Safe and Sustainable Communities, in Tallahassee at the FSU Conference Center. The Attorney General and other state leaders will share a pilot program designed to empower empower and mobilize communities to address issues which are often precursors to actual criminal activity – unemployment, poor housing conditions, little or no access to social services, and many others. This comprehensive program lays the foundation for transforming high crime communities into safe and sustainable neighborhoods. This is an unparalleled opportunity to learn how the University Area in Hillsborough County, which carries the sixth highest crime rate in Florida, is being transformed through a coordinated effort among vested community stakeholders like elected and government officials, law enforcement, non-profit group leaders, social service providers, community development leaders and the business community. Plan to attend and learn how this program can be replicated in your community! For information and to register, visit http://www.uacdconline/symposium.
Attorney General McCollum named Jacksonville Sheriff's Deputy Jared Reston as the recipient of the Attorney General's Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award for 2009. Detective Reston was joined by 11 fellow officers from around the state at a ceremony recognizing them for their dedication to law enforcement and their protection of the public.
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