Attorney General Moody's Week In Review

May is Elder Law Month. It’s also Older Americans Month. This week, we recognized the occasions by highlighting some of the ways our office protects seniors. Millions of seniors call Florida home, and we want to make sure they can enjoy their golden years free from fraud.

With this mission in mind, I established the Senior Protection Team, an intra-agency group of investigators and attorneys dedicated to fighting fraud targeting older Floridians. To assist with this mission, we created Scams at a Glance—an educational resource to help inform seniors about common and emerging tricks used to steal their money.

Education and prevention are also a major part of the Seniors vs. Crime project. Seniors vs. Crime is made up of volunteers from across the state dedicated to helping older Floridians who have been taken advantage of financially. The organization spends thousands of volunteer hours assisting Floridians. Since 2019, these volunteer Senior Sleuths have secured more than $4.5 million in recoveries, refunds and savings for people seeking their help.

These are just a few ways we are fighting for older Floridians. For more information about all of these great initiatives, visit MyFloridaLegal.com.

By taking proactive steps to protect Floridians and stop fraud, we are building a Stronger, Safer Florida.
Ashley Moody
Protecting Floridians
Attorney General Moody Urges Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to Implement Measures to Help Human Trafficking Survivors Rebuild Credit


Attorney General Ashley Moody is urging the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to enact measures to help human trafficking survivors rebuild credit after escaping captivity. Attorney General Moody and 40 other state attorneys general wrote to the CFPB urging support of the intent of the Debt Bondage Repair Act in the agency’s rulemaking implementing recent amendments to Section 605C of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Survivors of human trafficking suffer physical and mental harm. Many also suffer financial damage. Their captors may open accounts in their name and destroy their credit scores—making it hard for survivors to rent an apartment, buy a car or even apply for a job. I am asking the CFPB to adopt rules in line with the Debt Bondage Repair Act and help human trafficking survivors start rebuilding their lives.” More.


Attorney General Moody Releases DHS Document Showing President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas Know Drug Cartels are Controlling Illegal Migration and Profiting from the Chaos at the Southwest Border

Following the congressional testimony of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas claiming the Biden administration’s unlawful policies are not contributing to the influx of unvetted migrants, Attorney General Ashley Moody is releasing a federal document debunking that claim. The DHS document shows that the Biden administration has knowledge that its policies are encouraging mass migration. The document also reveals that the Biden administration continues to undermine public-safety immigration laws, while knowing that Mexican drug cartels are facilitating the surge at the southwest border to charge migrants for safe passage in order to “feed cartel violence in Mexico and along the border.”

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “This is a shocking discovery. It contradicts what the Biden administration has been telling the American people and shows that the Mexican drug cartels are profiting off the mass migration of unvetted immigrants to fund an increase in violence at the border.

“We are in the midst of a national opioid crisis and the deadliest drugs are being smuggled into our country from Mexico. President Biden knows this, yet he continues to double down on his terrible immigration policies knowing full well these policies are emboldening and enriching the very drug cartels who are profiting off the deaths of thousands of Americans.” More.


Attorney General Moody Calls on U.S. Attorney General Garland to Enforce Federal Law Prohibiting Efforts to Intimidate Supreme Court Justices

Attorney General Ashley Moody is calling on United States Attorney General Merrick Garland to enforce federal law against attempts to intimidate U.S. Supreme Court Justices by protesting outside the Justices’ homes. Along with 24 other Attorneys General, Attorney General Moody is demanding the U.S. Attorney General take action to safeguard and ensure the integrity of the rule of law.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “The integrity of our courts is paramount to a free and democratic society. Any attempt to threaten or intimidate United States Supreme Court Justices so they change their votes should be thoroughly investigated by the Department of Justice—not just for the safety of judges and their families, but for the independence of our nation’s entire judicial system.” More.


ONE PILL CAN KILL: Attorney General Moody Demands President Biden Take Action to Stop the Flow of Deadly Drugs on First-Ever National Fentanyl Awareness Day


Attorney General Ashley Moody is warning Floridians about the dangers of synthetic opioids in recognition of the first-ever National Fentanyl Awareness Day. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times more deadly than morphine—just two milligrams is enough to kill a full-grown adult—and oftentimes laced in counterfeit pills. The poisonous drug is now the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 45.

According to a release from the National Institutes of Health, law enforcement across the country seized nearly 10 million counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl in 2021—a 50-fold increase in just three years. Per a report from the Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking, Mexico is now the top importer of fentanyl into the United States. Drug cartels are exploiting the border chaos to traffic drugs into the country.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “The shocking increase in the number of counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl should concern everyone, especially President Biden, who continues to ignore federal immigration laws—paving the way for these dangerous drugs to flood into our country. Nobody should use illicit drugs. Not only are they illegal, but they can be lethal. On this first-ever National Fentanyl Awareness Day, I am demanding that Biden take action and reminding Floridians that just one laced pill can kill.” More.


VIDEO: Attorney General Moody Recognizes First Anniversary of Thin Line Tribute Initiative


Attorney General Ashley Moody is recognizing the one-year anniversary of the launch of the Thin Line Tribute initiative. Attorney General Moody created Thin Line Tribute to recognize and show appreciation for the courageous and often thankless work of Florida’s front-line law enforcement officers.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “One year ago, I launched a new initiative to honor the unsung heroes of Florida law enforcement. We call it the Thin Line Tribute. Through this important statewide invitation we have promoted the heroic acts of front-line officers and created opportunities for the state of Florida to show its appreciation and say thank you.” More.


Attorney General Moody to Prosecute Defendant Arrested in Operation “NOT for sale by owner” Real Estate Scam

Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested Tabria Anorria Josey, 20, of Loxahatchee on charges of scheme to defraud, grand theft, money laundering, aggravated white-collar crime and communications fraud. Josey is accused of stealing hundreds of thousands from dozens of victims in a complex real estate scam.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “The defendant took advantage of Florida’s red-hot real estate market to rip off homebuyers and renters. Her crimes spanned six counties, involved 25 properties and tricked consumers into parting with nearly $300,000. As the investigation into this elaborate real estate scheme remains active, my Statewide Prosecutors will continue to work with law enforcement to ensure the defendant faces justice for her crimes.” More.
Events
This week, Attorney General Ashley Moody spoke at the Florida TaxWatch Spring Board Meeting in Tampa about protecting Floridians and building a Stronger, Safer Florida.