Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Friday, August 05, 2016

Aug 5, 2016

 

Florida Signs Four More Life Claim Settlement Agreements

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, Florida Department of Financial Services, and the Florida Office of the Attorney General announced late yesterday that National Life Claim Settlement Agreements have been signed with four Life Insurance Companies totaling more than $3.4 million: Hartford Fire & Casualty Group for $2.1 million, Securian for $625,000  Great American for $400,000, and Standard for $277,000.   

 

Florida’s HIV/AIDS Chief Resigns

Marlene LaLota, who has been with Florida Department of Health for more than 25 years resigned on July 26 “to pursue new challenges,” according to a letter obtained by the Tampa Bay Times’ Michael Auslen. 

 

South Florida Judge Rules Bitcoin Is Not Money

A recently-issued ruling by a South Florida Judge that Bitcoin is not money, but equates more to property, is causing some consternation in the investigative community, fearing the Legal Edict could make it more difficult to bring State Money Laundering and other charges when criminal money trails snake into the virtual world.  Brian Monroe reports for the Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists.

  

Florida Slashed Mosquito Control Funds Since 2011

As Florida grapples with being “Ground Zero” with the outbreak of Zika in Miami, Politico Florida reveals the State has actually slashed Mosquito-Control Programs over the years, including the elimination of a State-Funded Pesticide-Testing Facility that was once known as “The Mosquito Lab.”

  

Florida Study Shows Money Laundering, Tax Evasion Through Trade Robbing Us Government of Trillions of Dollars in Past Decade

Trillions of dollars may be missing from U.S. Government Coffers due to widespread Corporate Tax Evasion and Criminal Money Laundering Strategies, according to a new Report by a Florida College Professor and longtime Trade-Based Money Laundering Expert, the Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists reports.

 

Miami-Dade Among Top 10 Florida Regions for Incoming Investments

Financial Tech Company SmartAsset ranked the U.S. Regions generating the most investment by evaluating Local Business Growth and New Building Permits.  Despite boasting one of the most robust development areas in the country, Miami-Dade Ranked Only Ninth in Florida, with Osceola at No. 1, South Florida Business Journal reports via Crain’s Miami.

  

Florida Democratic Party Hires News Political Director

Florida Democratic Party Chair Allison Tant announced the hiring of Mayra Macias as Political Director.   Adam Smith reports for the Tampa Bay Times’ “The Buzz” blog.

  

1st Official Charged in FBI Corruption Probe of Florida City

The FBI raided Opa-Locka City Offices in March to collect evidence and more charges are likely.  The City also is in the midst of a Financial Crisis that led Gov. Rick Scott to declare a Fiscal Emergency with appointment of a State Oversight Board.  The Associated Press reports via WFLX.

  

“Baptists and Bootleggers” Join Forces to Support “Yes on 4” Vote

Conservative Business Groups and Liberal Environmental Interests seldom see eye-to-eye in Tallahassee, but they are united in supporting Amendment 4 on Florida’s Statewide Primary Ballot.   The Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Bousquet reports via “The Buzz” blog.

  

Surplus Lines Premiums Dip a Bit

Fourteen States report 3 percent decline in first half of year, Insurance Journal reports.

  

Survey:  Louisianans’ Views on Insurance Depend on Where They Live

Those who live inland and those who live along Louisiana’s Coast differ in their viewpoint of Homeowners and Renter’s Insurance, according to a new Survey of Registered Louisiana Voters, Insurance Journal reports.

  

Malaysian Insurance Industry to Undergo Transformation over Next 5-10 Years

 

The Malaysian Insurance Industry will undergo its most significant transformation over the next 5 to 10 years in decades and addressing the extent of underinsurance in the country is key says Bank Negara Malaysia Assistant Governor Jessica Chew Cheng Lian.  The New Straits Times Online reports.

 

 

 

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