Released by Ashley Moody’s Office —
I am excited to roll out the Back the Blue Campaign this week. Back the Blue highlights law enforcement officers, citizens and organizations taking extraordinary steps to protect communities and forge positive relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Supporting law enforcement is a top priority of mine and the mission of Back the Blue is to commend Florida’s brave law enforcement officers and the Floridians who back them.
The first recipient of this award is Zechariah Cartledge, a 10-year-old from Winter Springs.
Zechariah announced earlier that he will run one mile for each officer lost in the line of duty in 2018, amounting to 148 miles. In addition to the miles for 2018 fallen heroes, Zechariah has already committed to running miles for fallen officers in 2019. To date, Zechariah has run 46 miles for fallen officers.
I had the great pleasure of meeting Zechariah and his lovely family at this week’s Cabinet Meeting. I want to thank Zechariah’s family for supporting his mission to honor our law enforcement.
Zechariah’s unique and passionate support for the law enforcement community is admirable. That is why he is the perfect first award recipient for our Back the Blue Campaign. I look forward to following his mission and praise him for bringing attention to the ultimate sacrifice these officers made.
Thank you, Zechariah, for being such a great role model for all of us as we are reminded of the selfless service of those in law enforcement.
You can read more about Zechariah’s incredible story by clicking here. To follow our Back the Blue campaign, click here.
In The NewsFlorida boy vows to run mile for every police officer killed in line of duty, WCTV
Chris Nocco Joins Florida Council on Human Trafficking, Florida Daily
Opioids, timber, cancer on Florida Cabinet priority lists, Associated Press
Wells Fargo Allegedly Opened Millions of Unauthorized Accounts, Space Coast Daily
Ronald Rubin named Florida’s top financial regulator, Tampa Bay Times
By unanimous vote, Valenstein to remain state environmental chief, Tallahassee DemocratProtecting Floridians
Attorney General Moody Names Sheriff Nocco to Statewide Council
Attorney General Ashley Moody named Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco to the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking. Attorney General Moody chairs the 15-member council that met for the first time this week in Tallahassee.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Sheriff Nocco is a hands-on lawman who tirelessly fights human trafficking in Pasco County. His experience and expertise will be a great asset to the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking as we look for new ways to end this atrocious crime and help survivors heal.” More.
Wells Fargo Launching Consumer Redress Program Required by Attorney General Settlement
As part of a multistate agreement with Florida, Wells Fargo initiated a consumer redress review program for customers harmed by the banks’ alleged violations of consumer protection laws. Wells Fargo customers that did not receive full restitution for the violations can now seek account reviews by a Wells Fargo escalation team for possible relief.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Customers of Wells Fargo were perplexed and outraged after the bank improperly enrolled them into programs and policies they did not want. With this redress program now in place as part of our multistate action, customers will be able to contact Wells Fargo directly and get a quicker response to questions about their eligibility for relief.” More.
CONSUMER ALERT: Claims Process for Improperly Charged Toll and Car Rental Fees
Attorney General Ashley Moody issued a consumer alert encouraging people improperly charged toll and PlatePass fees to file a claim. The claims process stems from a court enforceable settlement agreement between Attorney General Moody’s Office and Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. Consumers can apply for a refund of toll and PlatePass fees charged by the Dollar or Thrifty rental car companies occurring in Florida. More.
Attorney General Moody’s Statement on the Approval of Noah Valenstein for Department of Environmental Protection Secretary
Attorney General Ashley Moody released the following statement on the approval of Noah Valenstein for Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection:
“I am pleased with today’s vote by the Governor and my fellow Cabinet members approving Noah Valenstein’s continued leadership as Secretary of Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection. Secretary Valenstein has shown great dedication to the agency and it is clear that he will remain devoted to Florida’s wide-ranging environmental issues. More.
Attorney General Moody’s Statement on the Approval of Ron Rubin to Serve as OFR Commissioner
Attorney General Ashley Moody released the following statement on the approval of Ron Rubin by the Governor and Florida Cabinet to serve as the Commissioner of the Office of Financial Regulation:
“Ron Rubin’s service as a federal attorney for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission will benefit Florida’s Office of Financial Regulation and help advance our shared mission to promote a safe and sound financial marketplace. Commissioner Rubin is committed to identifying and aggressively pursuing fraudsters in conjunction with the Attorney General’s Office, and I look forward to working with him to better protect consumers.”EventsThis week, Attorney General Ashley Moody joined Governor Ron DeSantis, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried for a Florida Cabinet Meeting in Tallahassee.
Attorney General Moody meeting Back the Blue Award recipient Zechariah Cartledge. At age 10, Zechariah runs one mile for every fallen law enforcement officer. Zechariah and the Cartledge family were recognized by Attorney General Moody during the Florida Cabinet Meeting.
Attorney General Moody presenting Zechariah with the Back the Blue Award alongside Governor DeSantis, Commissioner Fried and CFO Patronis. To nominate a Floridian for the Back the Blue award, click here.
Attorney General Moody convening the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking at the State Capitol in Tallahassee for the council’s first meeting this year.
Attorney General Moody invited executives of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement’s North Florida Chapter to discuss efforts to bridge trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. NOBLE works to provide solutions to law enforcement issues and concerns along with addressing the needs of local communities.
Pictured from left to right: Vice President Rod Young, Scholarship and Fundraising Committee Chairman Cassandra Jenkins, President Tonja Bryant-Smith, Attorney General Moody, Treasurer Deidra Strickland, and Parliamentarian Dewey Riou
Attorney General Moody visiting with team members at the Florida Attorney General’s Fort Myers office.
Pictured left to right: Chief Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Michael-Anthony Pica, Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Audra Thomas-Eth, Attorney General Moody, Victim Services Program Specialist Angela Buckhanan, Senior Executive Secretary Janine Hagerdon, Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Carrie Pollock Gil, Executive Secretary Megan Lee and Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Jennifer Gutmore