Escambia Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud
June 21, 2017
An Escambia County man has pled guilty to 12 counts of aiding or assisting others in the preparation of false tax returns.
Christopher Jacob Rankins, 32, faces a maximum of three years in prison on earch of the 12 counts. He will sentence in federal court in Pensacola this September.
Documents introduced at the time of the guilty plea reflect that, between January 1, 2011, and May 8, 2012, while working as a tax preparer at American Tax Service in Pensacola, Rankins aided, assisted, counseled, and advised others in the preparation and presentation of fraudulent and false tax returns. The tax returns prepared by Rankins falsely represented the taxpayers’ business expenses and falsely claimed educational credits which resulted in tax payers receiving approximately $356,172 in refunds and credits that the taxpayers were not entitled to receive.
The charges were the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Ryan Love.
Citizens Seeks Rate Hikes, Blames Water Claims
June 21, 2017
Continuing to point at “out of control” water damage claims, the Citizens Property Insurance Board of Governors on Tuesday unanimously backed proposed rate increases that would hit South Florida policyholders hardest next year.
The changes, if approved by state regulators, would boost personal-lines policies on average by 5.3 percent and commercial lines by 8.4 percent. Personal-lines policyholders are homeowners, condominium-unit owners and renters.
The state-backed insurer also moved forward with a “stopgap” approach to water-damage claims not caused by hurricanes, floods or other weather-related events. Citizens officials contend those claims have been a key factor in recent premium increases.
Among the changes, coverage for water-damage repairs unrelated to weather will be capped at $10,000 for policyholders who do not take part in a “managed repair” program. That program involves contractors approved by Citizens.
“We’re not sitting back and saying, `Hey we’ll wait until next year, and maybe we can get something done from a legislative standpoint next year,’ ” Citizens President and CEO Barry Gilway said. “We can’t wait. It doesn’t make any sense and we don’t know — particularly with the current structure of the Legislature — we don’t know if we’ll be any more successful next year.”
Citizens and other insurers argue that the Legislature needs to make changes related to an insurance practice known as “assignment of benefits.” That practice involves homeowners signing over benefits to contractors, who ultimately pursue payments from insurance companies.
Insurers contend the practice has become riddled with fraud and litigation, particularly involving water-damage claims. Legislation about the issue failed to pass during the spring session.
“We have to go under the assumption that we’re not going to get any legislative relief,” Citizens Vice Chairman Don Glisson said. “We’re just going to have to come up with a defensive game plan to do the best we can to mitigate it because I’m not convinced we’re going to get any relief next year, the year after, who knows.”
While the insurance industry criticizes the assignment-of-benefits process, plaintiffs’ attorneys and contractors argue, in part, the practice helps homeowners hire contractors quickly to repair damage and also can help force insurers to properly pay claims.
Citizens officials say litigated water-damage claims tied to assignment of benefits are driving up homeowners’ rates. The issue has been most prominent in Southeast Florida.
“These proposed rate increases and product changes are critical for Citizens’ efforts to bring some relief to a market that is being made increasingly expensive by unnecessary litigation and out-of-control water loss claims,” Citizens Chairman Chris Gardner said in a prepared statement. “Unfortunately, we are making it more expensive for many of our customers to own a home.”
The 2018 rate proposal still must be approved by the state Office of Insurance Regulation.
A year ago, after Citizens proposed a 6.8 percent statewide rate increase for multi-peril accounts, insurance regulators approved a 6.4 percent average increase.
The requested changes for 2018 vary, depending on types of coverage and locations of property.
Multi-peril homeowners’ policies would go up 6.7 percent statewide — from an average of $2,512 to $2,681.
While most counties are actually projected to see multi-peril rates go down, the proposal would boost rates 10.5 percent in Miami-Dade County, 10.4 percent in Broward County, and 9.4 percent in Palm Beach County.
Homeowners in those counties already pay higher rates that in most other parts of the state.
The average multi-peril policy currently is $3,421 in Miami-Dade, $2,842 in Broward and $2,631 in Palm Beach County.
In Leon County, which includes Tallahassee, the 85 homeowners with that multi-peril coverage would see the average rate go from an average of $929 to $840. The 271 multi-peril policies in Duval County, which includes Jacksonville, would see rates go on average from $1,235 to $1,191.
Meanwhile, wind-only homeowners’ policies would go up on average 1.2 percent — from $2,769 to $2,802.
Such wind-only policies would go down 0.8 percent in Broward and drop 5.3 percent in Miami-Dade counties. Yet, Palm Beach homeowners with those wind-only policies would see rates go up 2.6 percent, and in Monroe County, which includes the Florida Keys, the wind-only rate would grow 3.9 percent.
Citizens officials credited past annual increases in wind-only rates along with lowered costs of reinsurance — backup insurance for insurers — for those policies being more actuarially sound when compared to costs on the private market.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Cantonment Residents Enjoy A ‘Milkshake With A Cop’
June 21, 2017
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office held a “Milkshake With a Cop” event Tuesday afternoon at the new Arby’s on Highway 29 in Cantonment. Area residents had an opportunity to stop by and meet the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office that patrol the area and enjoy a free milkshake.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Volunteers Needed For The Escambia Housing Finance Authority
June 21, 2017
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an appointment to the Escambia County Housing Finance Authority.
Appointees serve without compensation.
Escambia residents interested in serving on the Escambia County Housing Finance Authority are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by 5 p.m. Monday, July 3. Resumes should be submitted to Judy Witterstaeter, Program Coordinator, Board of County Commissioners, P.O. Box 1591, Pensacola, FL 32502 or jhwitter@myescambia.com.
The Escambia County Housing Finance Authority was established in accordance with Florida law. The authority’s duties are to assist in eliminating shortages of adequate housing, stop re-occurrence of slum conditions and stimulate employment and commerce. Knowledge in the area of labor, finance or commerce required. Authority members serve a four-year term of office. Financial disclosure is required.
Requirements:
- The authority’s regular meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month and typically last between one to two hours (i.e. 24 hours annually). Board members are also required to attend special meetings that are occasionally called on an “as needed” basis in connection with proposed multi- and single-family financings.
- Board members must review various documents (official statements, trust statements, loan agreements, etc.) prior to each monthly meeting. Preparation time generally ranges from one hour for a normal meeting, to four to six hours if there is a substantial item on the agenda.
- Board members are also required to be available for any bond issue closings that occur during the year and to also make time during the month to consult with the executive director (and/or be available to sign documents, checks, etc.) as needed in connection with routine authority business.
- Board members are also strongly encouraged to participate in various educational workshops and conferences sponsored by the National and Florida Associations of Local Housing Finance Authorities (approximately two a year) in an effort to stay abreast of emerging trends and changes to all the various laws and regulations in the housing finance and municipal finance industries (such as their due diligence responsibilities before approving a bond issue, SEC/MSRB regulations, disclosure responsibilities, etc.) that impact the authority’s mission of providing safe, decent and affordable housing.
Alabama Man Killed In Escambia County I-10 Crash
June 20, 2017
An Alabama man was killed in a crash early Tuesday morning on I-10 in Escambia County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 28-year Ryan Michael Prather of Saraland was traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound on I-10 about the 5-mile marker in an Infiniti G35 when he rear-ended a tractor-trailer driven by 61-year old Patrick Henry of Mobile. A third vehicle driven by 38-year old Jason Weems of Pensacola struck some debris from the first crash.
Prather was pronounced deceased on the scene. Henry and Weems were not injured.
Photos by Dalton Young for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
State To Seek Death Penalty In Naomi Jones Case
June 20, 2017
Prosecutors will seek the death penalty against the convicted sex offender that allegedly kidnapped, murdered and dumped the body of 12-year old Naomi Jones.
State Attorney Bill Eddins said Tuesday afternoon that an Escambia County Grand Jury has returned a first degree felony indictment for premeditated murder against convicted sex offender Robert Letroy Howard, 38. He is also charged with failure to register as a sex offender in the State of Florida.
Authorities say Howard was living with his girlfriend in the same apartment complex in which Jones lived in the 1400 block of East Johnson Avenue. He lived in a nearly adjacent apartment to Jones. She was last seen May 31 in that apartment complex.
Jones likely died within 24 to 36 hours after her May 31 disappearance, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said. Her body was then later dumped into Eight Mile Creek, some 4-5 miles away, where it was found days later by two men looking for a fishing location.
Morgan said investigators believe Howard acted alone.
Howard was convicted in 1999 on two counts of first degree rape to two adult females in Escambia County, AL. One of the victims was 19-years old at the time. He served 15 years.
Molino Woman Charged With Embezzling From Bob Tyler Toyota
June 20, 2017
A Molino woman is facing multiple felony charges after she allegedly embezzled thousands of dollars from Bob Tyler Toyota.
Catherine Elizabeth Gibson, 47, was charged with five counts uttering a forged instrument, grand theft, 18 counts of dealing in stolen property, a violation of the Florida Communication Fraud Act and criminal use of personal identification.
Boy Tyler, owner of Bob Tyler Toyota, reported to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that Gibson had opened a fraudulent bank account using his personal information including Social Security number and birthday. Gibson was linked to the fraudulent account by the use of her phone number and power of attorney paperwork. Gibson was subsequently terminated from her position of an account payable clerk at the dealership.
According to an arrest report, Gibson electronically deposited 14 vendor checks totaling $4,966.32 into the account during a two month period. She also provided four additional vendor checks that taken but not yet deposited, according to an arrest report.
Gibson was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $71,000 bond, according to jail records.
Health Officials Move Foward With Marijuana Plans
June 20, 2017
Florida health officials have laid out a new process to implement the voter-approved constitutional amendment broadly legalizing medical marijuana, as they attempt to meet deadlines included in the November ballot measure.
The latest proposed rule came as the Department of Health awaits Gov. Rick Scott’s signature of a medical-marijuana bill adopted by lawmakers during a special session this month. That bill addressed major issues, such as how many companies will receive marijuana licenses and how many retail outlets they can run.
Lawmakers on Monday formally sent the bill (SB 8-A) to Scott, who has said he will sign it into law.
The House and Senate approved the bill during the special session after coming under fire for failing to pass a regulatory measure during the regular session that ended early in May.
Under the proposed rule published Friday, the Department of Health appears to be laying the groundwork for the new law, which establishes a number of regulatory guidelines.
“Today, to ensure compliance with our constitutional duties, the department published proposed rules for the implementation of Amendment 2, which was approved by 71 percent of Florida voters in 2016,” Department of Health spokeswoman Mara Gambineri said in an email Friday.
Gambineri said the department is crafting rules to comply with SB 8-A, “which provides a framework for patients to access marijuana safely.”
The constitutional amendment gives health officials until July 3 to craft rules to implement the amendment and until Oct. 3 to put the rules into effect.
Typical administrative-law procedures include timelines for challenges and revisions that could push finalization of the department’s regulations beyond the constitutional deadlines.
But the Department of Health is relying on an emergency rulemaking process authorized under the bill approved this month.
“This will enable the department to quickly implement the time-sensitive requirements of the legislation. Following emergency rulemaking, the department is committed to working collaboratively with the public through traditional rulemaking to establish a patient-centered medical marijuana program,” Gambineri said in an email.
Lawmakers in 2014 and 2016 approved measures that allowed medical cannabis for limited groups of patients, including people with terminal illnesses. But the constitutional amendment approved in November could make marijuana available to hundreds of thousands of patients — and make Florida one of the largest cannabis markets in the country.
The amendment gave doctors the authority to order marijuana for a broad swath of patients with debilitating conditions, including cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, post-traumatic stress disorder, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Federal Judge Orders Bayview Park Cross To Come Down
June 20, 2017
A federal judge has ruled that a cross in Pensacola’s Bayview Park violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and must be removed within 30 days.
“I am aware that there is a lot of support in Pensacola to keep the cross as is, and I understand and I understand and respect that point of view,” U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson wrote in his ruling. “But, the law is the law.”
The Freedom from Religion Foundation and the American Humanist Association filed suit against the City of Pensacola over the cross in 201 on behalf of four citizens. the judge ordered that the city pay the plaintiffs a total of a $1 in damages, or 25 cents each if evenly divided.
Bayview Park is a 28-acre city park in the East Hill neighborhood, overloking Bayou Texar. A wooded cross was erected there for an Easter Sunrise Service in 1941. In 1969, the Pensacola Jaycees replaced the wood cross with a concrete one for dedication at the 29th annual Easter Sunrise Service. The concrete cross, which still stands and is the subject of this dispute, is a 34-foot white “Latin cross.” A Latin cross consists of a vertical bar and a shorter, horizontal one. It is a widely recognized symbol of Christianity.
“We are pleased that the Court struck down this Cross as violative of the First Amendment,” said Monica Miller, Senior Counsel at the Appignani Humanist Legal Center. “The cross was totally unavoidable to park patrons, and to have citizens foot the bill for such a religious symbol is both unfair and unconstitutional.”
It costs the City of Pensacola $233 per year — out of a $772,206 annual maintenance budget, or about .03% — to keep it clean, painted, and illuminated at night.
“The Bayview Cross is part of the rich history of Pensacola and of Bayview Park in particular. Thousands upon thousands of people have attended services in the park over the years. It has also been the site of remembrance services on Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day, during which flowers were placed at the foot of the cross in honor of loved ones overseas and in memory of those who sacrificed their lives for our country,” Vinson wrote in his ruling.
It..”has hosted tens of thousands of people, and has stood on public property in one form or another for approximately 75 years (apparently without incident), four people—Amanda Kondrat’yev; Andreiy Kondrat’yev; David Suhor; and Andre Ryland—contend they are “offended” by it and want it removed,” Vinson wrote. Amanda and Andreiy Kondrat’yev have since moved to Canada.
“The historical record indicates that the Founding Fathers did not intend for the Establishment Clause to ban crosses and religious symbols from public property,” he wrote. “Indeed, ‘the enlightened patriots who framed our constitution’…would have most likely found this lawsuit absurd. And if I were deciding this case on a blank slate, I would agree and grant the plaintiffs no relief. But, alas, that is not what we have here,” the judge wrote.
Vinson did offer possible solutions to the city:
“To be clear: None of this is to say that the cross would have to come down if the City sold or leased the area surrounding it to a private party or non-governmental entity (so long as the transfer was bona fide and not a subterfuge). Nor would there be a constitutional problem with worshipers using a temporary cross for their services in the park (counsel for plaintiffs conceded that point during the hearing).”
“Count me among those who hope the Supreme Court will one day revisit and reconsider its Establishment Clause jurisprudence, but my duty is to enforce the law as it now stands,” Vinson concluded his 23 page ruling.
Escambia Middle, High School Students To Receive Report Cards Soon
June 20, 2017
It’s been nearly a month since the last day of school in Escambia County, and students still don’t have their report cards.
The delay, according to Superintendent Malcolm Thomas, was the arrival of end of course (“EOC”) score from the state. He said those scores are now in and final report cards are being processed.
You should receive your student’s report card by U.S. Mail no later than June 30,” Thomas said, adding that report cards will also be available by today on the school district’s FOCUS Parent Portal.