Politics

James Uthmeier’s Office breaks up identity fraud and theft ring in South Florida

Published

3 months ago

September 17, 2025

6 suspects were nabbed in Fort-Lauderdale-based ring that investigators say pilfered bank accounts for 2 years.

Six people are behind bars following a multiyear investigation that ended what officials are calling a fraud and theft ring in South Florida.

Attorney General James Uthmeier said his Statewide Prosecution team broke up a multiyear operation that engaged in large-scale theft and identity fraud based in Fort Lauderdale.

Uthmeier dubbed the operation the “Felony Lane Gang” that he said committed more than 200 smash-and-grab burglaries at public spaces, parks and gyms in five counties. A news release said the crimes occurred between March 2021 and May 2023.

Once the smash-and-grabs were completed, investigators say the ring would then pilfer the stolen wallets and purses for checkbooks, credit cards, ID cards and passports to steal more money from bank accounts by using the identities of the victims.

“The broader issue at hand here is that repeat offenders pose a major threat to the safety of our communities,” Uthmeier said. “Too often, these criminals are arrested, released, and given another chance to prey on innocent people. In Florida, we don’t just arrest criminals — we keep them behind bars where they belong.”

An estimated $350,000 was stolen from the victims in those two years, and some 55 of those victims were senior citizens.

“The Office of Statewide Prosecution will deploy every tool to dismantle criminal networks made up of career fraudsters and thieves that prey on hardworking Floridians,” said Statewide Prosecutor Brad McVay. “The Office will pursue hefty and enhanced charges to ensure individuals convicted of operating as part of one of these organized crime rings are kept behind bars for a very long time, where they can no longer victimize Floridians.”

Charges of racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering and scheme to defraud face the suspects in the case. Uthmeier said the maximum punishment for each suspect could be 30 years in prison along with fines of up to $10,000 each.

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Politics

Ashley Moody, Rick Scott diverge on rescheduling pot

Published

4 hours ago

December 17, 2025

May Greene

Florida’s U.S. Senators are split on President Donald Trump potentially rescheduling cannabis.

While Rick Scott signed a letter opposing the move with GOP colleagues, Ashley Moody did not.

“Rescheduling marijuana to a Schedule III drug will undermine your strong efforts to Make America Great Again and to usher in America’s next economic Golden Age. The only winners from rescheduling will be bad actors such as Communist China, while Americans will be left paying the bill,” the letter claims.

The Senators argue that changing cannabis’ classification would harm America’s attempts to reindustrialize, would have health consequences, and would give a “massive tax break” to companies in the space.

“While supporters of rescheduling argue that extending tax benefits to marijuana businesses will create economic growth, the costs of workplace and vehicular accidents caused by increased marijuana usage far exceeds any perceived benefits—not to mention the moral costs of marijuana advertising that could reach kids.”

Scott has called marijuana a “gateway drug” and says his own brother died after a lifetime struggle with drugs that began with it, so his opposition to relaxed laws continues.

While Attorney General, Moody opposed legalization initiatives in Florida. However, rumors are that the White House is considering rescheduling to Schedule III, which would permit medical research but wouldn’t immediately make it more commercially available.

12.17.2025-Letter-on-Marijuana-Rescheduling-

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Politics

Florida military installations to divvy up nearly $1B in federal funding act

Published

5 hours ago

December 17, 2025

May Greene

10 military installations in the Sunshine State will get a cut of the funding approved by Congress.

U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody is touting approval by Congress of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which will bring nearly a billion dollars in funding for several military installations in Florida.

The measure passed along bipartisan lines in the Senate and covers defense funding for the next fiscal year. It authorizes about $900 billion in total for defense spending across the U.S. The House signed off on the measure last week.

The act earmarks about $851 million for Florida installations. It will also fund expanded shipbuilding and prioritize development of the “Golden Dome” missile defense system.

“The passage of this year’s NDAA is a victory for the strengthening of our national security and Florida’s military bases. It is vital for the protection of our great nation that our military has the resources needed to deter evil and stay mission ready. Sadly, just this week we lost two National Guardsmen and an interpreter far too soon at the hands of an apparent ISIS attack in Syria. My heart breaks for their families’ unimaginable loss. It is a stark reminder that we must continue our efforts to secure peace through a robust national defense,” Moody said in a news release Wednesday.

“Florida is proud to be the home of three combatant commands, including SOUTHCOM, CENTCOM and SOCOM, as well as 21 military installations which all play a highly important role in the United States’ military strategy. I will always fight for their interests, because a strong military is essential for a strong nation.”

Ten different military installations in Florida will get a partial cut of the funding including, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Eglin Air Force Base, Homestead Air Reserve Base, Hurlburt Field, MacDill Air Force Base, Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island, Naval Air Station Key West, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Naval Air Station Whiting Field and Tyndall Air Force Base.

Florida is home to more than 90,000 active military personnel in the state, and about 1.5 million military veterans reside here.

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Politics

New College Foundation announces $1M gift for ‘Socratic Stage’ program

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

May Greene

The New College Foundation has announced a $1 million donation from Dr. Michael C. and Ling Z. Markovitz to establish a new campus program centered on debate, classical learning and public discourse.

The donation, made directly to the New College Foundation, will help the college establish the Markovitz Socratic Stage, a signature forum dedicated to revitalizing civil discourse, classical learning and the free exchange of ideas on campus.

“We believe deeply in the power of ideas — and the courage it takes to explore them openly,” Michael said in a statement. “New College is leading a movement to bring back real dialogue, real debate, and real education. We are honored to support this mission and help build a program where students learn to think for themselves, speak with conviction, and engage with the world in meaningful ways.”

The donation will support a series of debates, lectures and discussion-based events meant to bring together students, faculty, visiting scholars and community members for debates, dialogues, books discussions, lecture series, public forums, intellectual events open to the community, and student-centered opportunities.

The program will be integrated into New College’s Logos/Techne curriculum and is expected to launch as a recurring campus initiative open to the public.

College President Richard Corcoran called the gift a “defining moment” for the institution, saying it aligns with New College’s emphasis on classical education and intellectual freedom.

“Michael and Ling Markovitz have made a profound and visionary commitment to New College,” he said. “Their gift strengthens our mission to revive rigorous classical education and restore the humanities as a force for intellectual freedom. The Markovitz Socratic Stage will impact generations of students by giving them a place to think deeply, debate boldly, and seek truth fearlessly.”

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