Attorney General's Weekly Newsletter
Volume 7, Issue 43 • October 30, 2009

Law enforcement data has indicated that the number of domestic violence homicides in Florida over the past six months is climbing at an alarming rate. Local teams conduct reviews to help communities understand the events leading up to the homicide, and ultimately to determine how to prevent them, but there is an urgent need to identify statewide strategies that will address the brutality of these homicides.

This week, I joined the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence and numerous state agencies and law enforcement organizations to launch a Statewide Fatality Review team, making Florida the only state in the country to have both statewide and local fatality review teams. The team will conduct fatality and near-fatality reviews and will ultimately create policy recommendations to address issues which may prevent domestic violence homicides.

Working with these partners, we can provide the leadership necessary to make a difference and ultimately help save lives.

CyberCrime Update:


Tuesday, November 3rd from 6:30pm to 8:00pm, Attorney General Bill McCollum and his CyberCrime Unit will host a cybersafety presentation just for adults! Come learn about the internet, what your child may be exposed to while online, tactics internet predators use, and how to teach your children about safe internet use.

This event will be free of cost and will be held at the Leon High School Auditorium, at 550 E. Tennessee Street. Join the Attorney General for an evening of information that could save a child’s life. Download a copy of our CyberSafety Presentation Flyer.

Consumer Protection Actions:


Attorney General McCollum announced that he has co-sponsored a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), asking it to amend a federal rule that would require debt relief service companies to provide services before collecting any fees. The letter was also sponsored by the Attorneys General of Illinois, Maryland, and Washington.

Criminal Proceedings:


A Volusia County man has been arrested for practicing medicine without a license, neglecting an elderly person under his care, and scheming to defraud. Hassan Bashir Jibril was taken into custody by law enforcement officers with the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

A Miami-Dade County man has been arrested on charges he defrauded the Florida Medicaid program out of more than $54,000. Jean Joseph Paul, 32, was arrested today by law enforcement officers with the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit with assistance from the Miami-Dade Police Department.

A Marion County woman has been taken into custody on charges she was operating an assisted living facility without a license. Mary Alexander was arrested early this morning by law enforcement officers with the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

A Washington County nurse has been taken into custody for abusing an elderly victim under her care. Cigi Serrevera Snell, a certified nursing assistant formerly employed by Signature Health Care Center of North Florida in Jackson County, surrendered to authorities at the Jackson County Jail early Wednesday morning.
Attorney General McCollum announced that his Office of Statewide Prosecution has secured a plea agreement from a woman charged with stealing money from adoptive parents for adoption proceedings. Debra West, the former director of Tampa-based Adoptions By Choice, must repay $178,000 to her victims, most of whom were adoptive parents who were using West’s agency for their adoption. West pleaded guilty to first-degree grand theft in Hillsborough County.

Civil Litigation:


Attorney General McCollum announced that Florida and 11 other states have obtained a settlement with a private student loan provider, resolving an 18-month multistate investigation. Student Loan Xpress, a subsidiary of CIT Group, total of $112.7 million in debt for students who obtained non-government guaranteed educational loans to attend a now-bankrupt helicopter training school, Silver State Helicopters, LLC. Florida was the lead state in the investigation and settlement negotiations; Florida victims will be entitled to over $17 million in student loan forgiveness.

Attorney General McCollum announced his office has filed a lawsuit against several related used car dealers over allegations of deceptive and unfair business practices. Hollywood Auto Gallery, Inc. and owner Zachary S. Kessler have been the subject of numerous complaints filed with the Attorney General’s office, all referencing the warranties advertised by Kessler and his related businesses.

News Releases:



Man Arrested for Practicing Medicine Without a License, Neglecting Elderly Victim

Attorney General, Sheriffs & Police Chiefs to Parents: Plan Ahead for a Safe Halloween

Miami-Dade County Man Arrested for Defrauding Medicaid Out of More Than $54,000

Marion County Woman Arrested for Operating Assisted Living Facilities Without License

Florida Attorney General Encourages FTC to Enhance Consumer Protection from Debt Relief Scams

Attorney General: NCAA Document Release a Victory for Sunshine

Washington County Woman Arrested for Elderly Abuse

Florida Leads Multistate Settlement with Student Loan Provider

McCollum, Partners Launch Statewide Initiative to Combat Domestic Violence Fatalities

Attorney General Sues South Florida Used Car Dealers

Former Director of Adoption Agency Pleads Guilty to Grand Theft

Additional Notes:


Attorney General Bill McCollum, the Florida Sheriffs Association, and the Florida Police Chiefs Association issued an advisory for the upcoming Halloween weekend, emphasizing the importance of planning ahead for a safe Halloween.

Attorney General Bill McCollum issued the following statement on the release of the documents at the center of a public records case involving the NCAA:
“Florida’s Sunshine laws prevailed in what has been a case of critical importance to our state’s legacy as a leader on public records and transparency. The release of the public documents by the NCAA should be considered a victory for advocates of government transparency everywhere and should serve as an excellent example of the best possible outcome.”

Joined by the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence and numerous state agencies and law enforcement organizations, Attorney General McCollum announced his office will create and lead a statewide domestic violence fatality review team. The team will conduct fatality and near-fatality reviews and will ultimately create policy recommendations to address issues which may prevent domestic violence homicides.