Attorney General Moody's Week In Review
This week, in recognition of Women’s History Month, I presented a Florida Cabinet resolution to the Florida Police Chiefs Association highlighting the record number of female police chiefs leading departments in our state.
Florida now has a record 20 female chiefs—10 of whom are the first women to ever hold that position in their departments. Florida is also outpacing the national average when it comes to total women in law enforcement with more than 7,400 officers, representing 16% of the state’s entire law enforcement workforce. That is four points higher than the national average.
At a resolution presentation in West Palm Beach, we honored some of these trailblazing women like Punta Gorda Chief of Police Pamela Davis, who moved from Baltimore and became the first female to lead that department.
We also highlighted the great work of Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Fort Myers Assistant Special Agent in Charge Tracy Mauer. Tracy helped shut down a huge SUR-13 drug-trafficking operation last year that netted 24 arrests and seized huge amounts of deadly fentanyl.
These are just a few of the trailblazing women risking their safety for safer communities, and we hope their example will encourage more women to join their ranks. That is why I want to encourage women from around our state and nation to check out our law enforcement recruitment tool, BeAFloridaHero.com.
This resource hosts an interactive map displaying all the open law enforcement positions across out great state. It also provides information about training opportunities and details the great benefits and incentives available for new officers.
There is no better place to begin your search to serve in the most pro-law enforcement state in the nation!
By recognizing, encouraging and recruiting new officers, we are building a Stronger, Safer Florida.
Protecting Floridians
Attorney General Moody Warns Floridians of Flesh-Eating Drug “Tranq” Mixed with Fentanyl
Attorney General Ashley Moody is warning Floridians about the flesh-eating “zombie drug,” xylazine, also known as “tranq.” Xylazine is a Schedule I controlled substance in Florida, meaning it is a crime to possess or sell in the state. This week, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration issued a warning about the sharp increase in the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Floridians need to be aware that xylazine is making one of the deadliest drugs in history, fentanyl, even deadlier. Xylazine is a sedative, and therefore resistant to standard opioid reversal treatments such as Narcan. There has never been a more dangerous time to take a chance on any illicit substance, and this drug is only making the problem worse. I’m urging everyone to never use illicit drugs, just one pill or one use can kill.” More.
Man Arrested in $400,000 Medicaid Fraud Case
Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit announced the arrest of a man who stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from a state taxpayer-funded program. MFCU charged Carlos Cabrera with Medicaid provider fraud. Cabrera ran Angels on Earth, a prescribed pediatric extended care business, and submitted fraudulent claims for services that should have been provided to children with medically-complex conditions, bilking Florida Medicaid out of more than $400,000.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “This defendant used vulnerable children and their families for his own financial gain by overbilling and stealing from a taxpayer-funded program. My Medicaid Fraud Control Unit uncovered this devious scheme and will now ensure this defendant faces justice.” More.
Events
This week, Attorney General Ashley Moody presented the Florida Cabinet resolution recognizing Women’s History Month to the Florida Police Chiefs Association in West Palm Beach.
Attorney General Moody meeting with new Florida Bar President Gary Lesser in the Attorney General’s Capitol office in Tallahassee.
Attorney General Moody speaking at the Florida Professional Firefighters reception in Tallahassee as part of the organization’s legislative conference.
Attorney General Moody taking part in Florida Tourism Day in Tallahassee speaking to representatives of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.
Attorney General Moody presenting the White Hat Award to Law Librarian Betsy Stupski. The White Hat Award is given to Florida Attorney General's Office team members who demonstrate extraordinary effort and skill in fulfilling the mission of the office.