Attorney General Moody's Week In Review
This week, I recognized National Data Privacy Week by issuing a Consumer Alert to help Floridians secure and protect personal information. According to reports, data breaches exposed approximately 22 billion records worldwide last year. We also know hackers and cybercriminals are always looking for new ways to steal personal information, so it’s necessary to stay informed and take proactive steps to protect data.
Here are some tips to help secure personal information:
- Create strong, unique passwords;
- Enable multifactor authentication;
- Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks to sign into accounts or transmit information;
- Do not click on links in emails or text messages from unknown senders; and
- Adjust privacy settings to preferred comfort levels regarding information sharing.
For additional tips about protecting personal information and warnings about emerging scams, check out our Consumer Alert page at MyFloridaLegal.com/ConsumerAlert.
Additional resources can be found though our Scams at a Glance program. Visit MyFloridaLegal.com/ScamsAtAGlance to access material about identity theft, tech support scams and more.
By keeping your personal data protected from cybercriminals, you can reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of cybercrime and help us build a Stronger, Safer Florida.
Protecting Floridians
Attorney General Moody Takes Multistate Action Against President Biden’s New Unlawful Parole Program
Attorney General Ashley Moody is taking action to stop President Joe Biden’s latest unlawful immigration move—Biden wants to stop illegal immigration by attempting to legalize unlawful entry for hundreds of thousands of immigrants. Just days before Attorney General Moody took Biden to court for refusing to enforce federal immigration laws, the president announced a new parole program that could allow up to 30,000 previously inadmissible immigrants into the U.S. monthly. Attorney General Moody and other state attorneys general are taking swift action to stop this latest unlawful immigration program.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “As we prepared to take Biden to court over his unlawful catch-and-release policies, the president announced yet another reckless attempt to continue flooding the country with massive waves of illegal immigrants. Biden’s new solution to his self-created crisis at the border is to allow illegal immigrants to travel directly into the interior of the country without crossing the southern border—in direct violation of federal law. His unlawful actions will not go unchecked, and we will continue to fight in court to force this president to follow public-safety immigration laws.” More.
Following Massive Fentanyl Bust Involving Drug Cartels Using Contraband Phones in Florida Prisons, AG Moody Urges Congressional Leaders to Act and Jam Cellphones in Prison
Attorney General Ashley Moody is urging congressional leaders to pass legislation to give states the authority to use phone-jamming systems in prison. Last year, Attorney General Moody’s Statewide Prosecutors worked with state and federal law enforcement agencies to shut down a massive fentanyl trafficking operation, where drug cartel members used contraband cellphones to issue orders from within prison. The massive interdiction effort resulted in the seizure of more than 50 pounds of fentanyl, enough to kill approximately half of Florida's population. Statewide Prosecutors charged 25 defendants, including SUR-13 gang members, with multiple felony counts. On the heels of this massive drug interdiction operation, Attorney General Moody is asking Congress to take action to help stop the use of contraband cellphones in prison.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Drug cartel members used contraband cellphones to lead a massive fentanyl trafficking ring from behind bars. My Statewide Prosecutors and our great law enforcement partners executed a sophisticated operation to take down the drug smuggling ring and seize enough fentanyl to kill more than 11 million Floridians. Now, we need Congress to take swift action to keep inmates from orchestrating further criminal activity through the use of contraband cellphones.” More.
AG Moody’s Statewide Prosecutors Secure Unanimous Death-Penalty Recommendation for Man Convicted of Gruesome Murder
Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution secured a guilty conviction and unanimous vote recommending the death penalty against a Florida Keys man who committed sexual battery and murder. Steven Wolf performed a gruesome sexual battery using a large object that resulted in blunt force trauma and killed a Marathon woman. Due to several aggravating factors, including the heinous nature of the crime and a previous violent felony conviction of manslaughter 40 years prior, Wolf now faces the death penalty.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “We secured a unanimous death-penalty recommendation for a depraved killer, who gruesomely murdered a Florida woman. This case is so disturbing, and my heart breaks for the victim’s family. I am so thankful to the jury for sitting through this difficult trial, weighing the evidence presented by my Statewide Prosecutors and taking on the heavy responsibility of a case such as this.” More.
AG Moody Takes Multistate Action to Stop Rule Allowing Asset Managers to Direct Client Retirement Money to ESG Investments
Attorney General Ashley Moody is taking action to stop a Department of Labor rule which would affect the retirement accounts of millions of people. The rule allows 401(k) managers to direct clients’ money to Environmental, Social and Governance investments and runs contrary to the laws outlined in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Fund managers have a responsibility to choose investments that most financially benefit the account holder. The Department of Labor’s 2022 Investment Duties Rule undermines this principle and risks the retirement and financial security of millions of Americans to promote political agendas. I’m taking action to protect Floridians’ retirement investments from the Biden administration’s unlawful and financially irresponsible mandate.” More.
Fraudulent Nursing Diploma Scheme Leads to Federal Charges Against 25 Defendants
More than two dozen individuals have been charged in the Southern District of Florida for their alleged participation in a wire fraud scheme that created an illegal licensing and employment shortcut for aspiring nurses.
According to three recently unsealed indictments returned by a South Florida federal grand jury and two informations filed by federal prosecutors, defendants engaged in a scheme to sell fraudulent nursing degree diplomas and transcripts obtained from accredited Florida-based nursing schools to individuals seeking licenses and jobs as registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/VNs). More.
Events
This week, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida law enforcement leaders announced a new crime-reduction legislative package aimed at strengthening public safety and protecting Floridians.
Attorney General Moody and Gov. DeSantis celebrating the announcement at the Vicky Bakery in Miami with a couple of tasty cafecitos.
The Florida Attorney General’s Office welcomed a new team member this week. Attorney General Moody’s Deputy Director of Communications Kylie Mason delivered a beautiful healthy baby girl—Adalee Ann Mason, 8 pounds, 2 ounces. Congratulations, Kylie!