RealEstateRama

Attorney General Pam Bondi's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit today secured a prison sentence for an Orlando woman who exploited homeless men and women to commit Medicaid fraud. Christina Benson, owner of Tranquility Health Care Solutions, bilked Medicaid out of more than $200,000 by billing Medicaid for services not provided and not warranted. Last year, Benson pleaded guilty to one count of Medicaid provider fraud, a first-degree felony.

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis today announced that the Department of Financial Services is sending insurance specialists to the Florida Keys to assist with the handling of Hurricane Irma claims.

Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office filed a complaint against HOA Problem Solutions, Inc., as well as several related companies, for using deceptive and unfair practices to acquire properties from financially distressed homeowners. These Floridians’ homes faced impending homeowners’ association foreclosure auction because of outstanding HOA dues.

As the reentry process for the Lower Keys begins, FEMA stresses the importance of following guidance from your local officials. Currently only residents, business owners, disaster workers, and supply vehicles with appropriate identification, or re-entry stickers, will be permitted to enter.

As Hurricane Irma barrels toward Florida, Congressman Vern Buchanan will make the following stops in his district Friday to monitor preparations and make sure his communities have the resources they need.

Mass destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey and floodwaters in Texas and Louisiana. Severe flooding due to heavy rains in Southwest Florida. The devastating aftermath on people’s lives and livelihoods is a shocking reminder of what can happen when disaster strikes – and the critical need for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Florida Realtors® honored Matey H. Veissi, 2016 president of the state Realtor association, as its 2017 Realtor of the Year. The Realtor of the Year award was presented at the state association’s recent 101st annual Convention & Trade Expo at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Fla.

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis today announced that the second 2017 unclaimed property auction, hosted Saturday in Orlando, earned $1.186M. Nearly 60,000 individual items went up for auction, and every item sold. The highest individual grossing item was a pair of 17.6-carat diamond and platinum earrings with a starting reserve value of $19,000 that sold for $75,000. The pair features two 5.78-carat diamonds, flanked by a total of 112 diamonds

Twenty-five years ago today Hurricane Andrew struck South Florida. The Category 5 storm caused more than $25 billion worth of property damage and caused 44 direct and indirect fatalities in Florida. In the aftermath of the storm, looting, repair scams and price gouging complaints were reported to law enforcement and the Florida Attorney General’s Office.

Just like the weather, Florida’s housing market was hot in July with more closed sales, higher median prices, increased pending sales and more new listings, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. Sales of single-family homes statewide totaled 24,546 last month, up 2 percent compared to July 2016.

This morning, Congressman Tom Rooney (FL-17) and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue observed critical water quality and land conservation projects during a helicopter tour over South Florida and discussed the importance of reauthorizing these programs in the upcoming Farm Bill. These water and conservation projects help Florida’s farmers and ranchers coordinate with state and federal agencies to share in the stewardship of preserving and protecting the state’s natural beauty

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis today announced the recent arrest of Juan Jose Castro, owner of JACM Construction Corp., after his alleged attempt to operate a shell company with the sole intent of circumventing the state’s workers’ compensation laws. A “shell company” is an entity that conducts no significant business operations and can be used as vehicle to conduct fraudulent financial transactions, such as workers’ compensation fraud.

Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) has announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded Midway Airport a $246,250 grant to reconstruct runway lighting at the airport and improve safety.

Congressman Tom Rooney (FL-17) announced today that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will be awarding a $415,775 grant to Sebring Regional Airport to help upgrade the airport’s aging infrastructure.

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis announced the appointment of John M. McKay to the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Board of Governors.

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis today announced that the first of two 2017 unclaimed property auctions, held Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, earned $1.194 million. All of the auction’s nearly 48,000 individual items sold, and the highest grossing individual auction item was a 14k gold ring with a 4.02-carat European cut diamond that sold for $11,500.

U.S. Rep. Dennis A. Ross (R-FL-15), Senior Deputy Majority Whip, and Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN-09) today reintroduced the bipartisan Housing Accountability Act to hold property owners of low-income housing accountable for poor living conditions. This legislation would require the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to survey tenants living in subsidized housing twice a year about property conditions and management performance and create new penalties for property owners who repeatedly fail the tenant surveys

Florida’s housing market had more closed sales, higher median prices and more new listings in June, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. Sales of single-family homes statewide totaled 28,205 last month, up 4.3 percent compared to June 2016.

The Senate Committee on Appropriations approved the 2018 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, which includes key provisions proposed by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) that would help advance critical Everglades restoration projects to benefit South Florida’s environment and economy, and help protect drinking water supplies.

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis today announced that the Florida Division of Unclaimed Property returned an astonishing $313 million during the 2016-2017 fiscal year, the highest annual return figure in the program’s 56-year history. More than 513,000 individual claims were paid throughout the 2016-2017 fiscal year, a double-digit increase over the previous fiscal year. One in five Floridians has an unclaimed account in their name, and all are encouraged to regularly search for accounts on the Division’s website.