Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Thursday, October 17
Oct 17, 2013
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Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
There are no events scheduled for today.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
No More Policies from 1-800-Ask-Gary Firm
An auto-insurance company owned by the founder of the “1-800-Ask-Gary” referral service has been barred from writing new policies, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports via Health News Florida.
Florida Clinic Owner Could Get 75 Years in PIP Fraud Case
A Florida clinic owner is facing up to 75 years in prison for being involved in a scheme to fraudulently obtain medical payments under the state’s no-fault auto insurance law, Insurance Journal reports.
Additional Arrests in Florida Workers’ Comp Fraud Check Cashing Scheme
Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater announced the arrest of Nassar Faraj Hasan, 27, owner of a Tampa money service business, as part of a continuing enforcement effort known as “Operation Dirty Money,” Claims Journal reports.
Citrus canker lawsuit headed back to trial
When citrus canker threatened to blight Florida fruit, the government dispatched workers to chop down at-risk trees, including those in thousands of backyards, to quash the spreading bacteria, Ben Wolford reports for the Sun Sentinel.
Special Master Sides with Consultants on Redistricting Documents
A “special master” appointed to deal with a dispute over documents related to the 2012 redistricting process has ruled that a Republican consultant shouldn’t have to give those records to groups challenging the new political maps in court, THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Brandon Larrabee reports via SunshineStateNews.com.
Florida officials quiet on launch of jobless benefits website
The day after Florida launched a $63 million website to process unemployment benefits for thousands of residents, state officials sounded only positive notes, Michael Van Sickler and Brittany Alana Davis report for the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida regulators consider Duke nuclear costs
Despite some critics calling the proposal a rip-off for consumers, Florida utility regulators are poised to approve a far-reaching settlement with one of the state’s largest utility companies over its shuttered nuclear power plants, Associated Press’ Gary Fineout reports via Tampa Tribune.
Regulators thump failed Florida bank over insider deals
At Putnam State Bank, relations with insiders were so cozy that regulators referred to it as a “good old boy” lender, Michael Braga and Anthony Cormier report for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Orlando Airport to Begin Billion-Dollar Expansion
Orlando International Airport will get a new train depot, people mover, parking garage and a renovated airside within five years under a $1.1 billion expansion that airport officials approved Wednesday, Dan Tracy reports for the Orlando Sentinel.
Debt Ceiling Deal May Include Affordable Care Act Reinsurance Fund Fee Delay
It appears that part of the Budget/Debt Ceiling deal in DC may include a one-year delay in the collection of a fee on employer-sponsored health insurance to fund a temporary three-year reinsurance program to ensure a more stable individual health insurance market during its first three most vulnerable years, John McDonough reports for the Boston Globe.
Ann Flood Named Michigan Insurance Director
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has named Ann Flood director of the state Department of Insurance and Financial Services, National Underwriter’s PropertyCasualty360.com reports.
A.M. Best, Fitch Explain Recent Downgrades of Tower Group
Rating agencies have downgraded Tower Group following the insurer’s announcement of loss reserve and goodwill charges in excess of what was expected, Susanne Sclafane reports for Insurance Journal.
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