Attorney General Bondi’s Weekly Briefing ………

Summer camp is an exciting tradition in Florida, leaving kids with memories they will treasure for a lifetime. Our state is home to some amazing summer camps that have earned a reputation for providing children with a great opportunity to learn and grow. Unfortunately, at least one summer camp company is not putting our children first. This week, my office is working to protect camp-goers by filing a court action against a summer camp company and its owners for suddenly canceling camp and leaving some parents without refunds.According to our complaint, Camp Warrior, LLC., and its owner Derek Hart operated a so-called sleep-away summer camp in North Florida and falsely claimed to be in business for more than 40 years. The owner of Camp Warrior also did not have proper permitting to operate a camp for children. Despite numerous warnings by local and state officials citing issues with the septic system and other problems, the defendants still held camp.

To make matters worse, the defendants abruptly closed after being confronted by state officials, leaving parents and children confused about further plans for the summer and the status of payments made, some as high as $4,600. The Second Judicial Circuit Court granted my motion for temporary injunction prohibiting the defendants from taking further deposits.

Summer is a time for children to have fun, meet new people, and create unforgettable memories. It is so unfair that these kids may be deprived of camp because of the actions of these defendants. My office will continue to pursue refunds and take legal action to keep these defendants from deceiving any other campers.

Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks out on Camp Warrior, WCTV

Florida attorney general: Camp Warrior closed, assets frozen, WTXL

Orlando-based veterans nonprofit exploited $20 million in donations across US, AG says, WKMG

Paul Paulson, former Orlando mayor candidate, accused of ‘sham charity’ by 6 states, Orlando Sentinel

Gadsden County resident getting unknown phone calls thanks to “spoofing”, WCTV

More than 25 years after she was killed, her killer will be executed, Miami Herald

Attorney General Bondi Recognizes Military Consumer Protection Month with Tips for Veterans and Service MembersAttorney General Pam Bondi is recognizing Military Consumer Protection Month with tips for active-duty military, veterans and their families. This year’s Military Consumer Protection Month is dedicated to raising awareness about scams targeting or harming those who serve our country. Floridians generously donate to military and veterans’ charities. However, not all charities are legitimate. Some solicit donations by falsely promising to provide services to our military and veterans.

“I am honored that so many members of our Armed Forces and military veterans call Florida home. As a state, we need to do everything in our power to protect those who risk so much to protect us,” said Attorney General Bondi. “Last year we launched our Military and Veterans Assistance Program to provide additional resources to our brave service members, veterans and their families, and we will continue to do everything we can to make Florida the best state for our military heroes.” More.

Attorney General Bondi and Commissioner Putnam Join FTC and Other States to Combat Fraudulent Veterans Charities

Attorney General Pam Bondi, Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, the Federal Trade Commission, charity regulators and state attorneys general from around the country announced Operation Donate with Honor. This sweeping new donor education campaign is intended to help donors spot and avoid dubious fundraising solicitations that falsely promise donations will go toward helping veterans and service members. The new campaign also highlights several new and recent law enforcement actions involving charity scams in this area undertaken by the FTC and numerous states.

“July is Military Consumer Protection Month and one way to protect our veterans and service members is to stop scammers who exploit military members in an effort to steal charitable donations. It is reprehensible that anyone would prey on the good intentions of people trying to help our heroes and I will not let the immoral actions of a few bad actors taint the good work of our legitimate charities,” said Attorney General Bondi. More.

Miami-Dade Man Arrested for Defrauding Medicaid

Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Miami-Dade Police Department arrested a Miami man for defrauding the Medicaid program. According to the investigation, Armando Gonzalez, 57, worked as a targeted case manager at New Beginning Case Management Agency, LLC., located in the City of Hialeah. As a targeted case manager, Gonzalez assisted Medicaid recipients in gaining access to needed educational, medical, and social services––with the goal to optimize the functioning of patients with complex needs. Unfortunately, the defendant cataclysmically neglected to do preform these duties in the best interest of Medicaid recipients. More.

July is Military Consumer Protection Month and this week Attorney General Pam Bondi participated in Donate With Honor, a nationwide campaign with the Federal Trade Commission to fight fake charities exploiting our vets.

As part of her efforts, Attorney General Bondi also reached out directly to our Florida service members and veterans with consumer protection tips on Twitter.

Attorney General Bondi meeting with her Orlando consumer protection team who worked tirelessly on the Donate With Honor campaign. One of the sham charities shutdown as a result of the nationwide campaign operated out of Orlando. 

Pictured above from left to right are Assistant Chief Attorney General Donna Valin, Christopher Bethune, Jennifer Knutton, Annaliese Bullock, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Corrine Cardona, who is eight months pregnant with twins (soon to be the newest members of our work family), Kathleen Linnemeier, Juliette Norwood and Kim Anderson.

Attorney General Bondi is hosting the sixth annual Human Trafficking Summit, and reminding people that registration is open and nominations for awards are being accepted.

Award Nominations
For the sixth year, the Florida Human Trafficking Summit will honor outstanding citizens for their efforts to end human trafficking in Florida in four categories; Survivor Advocate of the Year, Community Advocate of the Year, Prosecutor of the Year, and Law Enforcement Official of the Year. Nominations are due by Sept. 3, 2018. For more information on the nomination process, click here.

Registration
Registration for this event is now open. Please register early to ensure your participation at the Summit. Click here for a link to the Summit registration form.

For more information on this year’s Summit, visit HumanTraffickingSummit.com.