Press Releases

01/10/2020

Santa Rosa Beach Man Arrested in Alleged Advance Fee for Loan Scheme Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Office of Financial Regulation today announced that William Earle North was arrested on felony charges of grand theft and collecting an advance fee while acting as a loan broker. North is alleged to have assessed and collected a $15,000 advance fee from two prospective borrowers on the promise of securing a $7.5 million loan for the construction of two marina...

12/02/2019

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Office of Financial Regulation today announced that the Financial Services Commission has appointed Russell C. Weigel commissioner of the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. Commissioner Russell C. Weigel said, “I am pleased to be selected to serve this great state as commissioner of the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. I look forward to working with Governor DeSantis, CFO Patronis, Attorney General Moody, and Commissioner Fried to continue to...

11/18/2019

Tallahassee, Fla. – In response to Governor Ron DeSantis’ announcement of his Bolder, Brighter, Better Future budget recommendations for Fiscal Year 2020-2021, Florida Office of Financial Regulation Chief of Staff Abby Vail today issued the following statement: “Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ efforts, Florida is an attractive place for the financial services industry to do business and is poised to become a leader in financial innovation. The Florida Office of Financial Regulation...

11/08/2019

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Office of Financial Regulation today announced that Ben A. Handa has been sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a mortgage fraud scheme. He was also ordered to pay $180,000 in restitution. The sentence follows a plea of “no contest” in February 2019. Alex Toledo, OFR Acting Bureau Chief of Financial Investigations, said, “Thank you to our investigators, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, and the Office of the State...

10/11/2019

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Office of Financial Regulation today announced that Barry Vigoda has been sentenced to more than two years in prison, followed by 10 years of probation, for his role in a fraudulent advance fee for loan scheme after a plea of “no contest.” He was also ordered to pay more than $151,000 in restitution, as well as associated court costs. Vigoda’s wife, Catherine Vigoda, co-conspirator in the scheme, was sentenced to 10 years of probation and also...

10/04/2019

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Office of Financial Regulation today announced that Jackson St. Lot was arrested on felony charges of engaging in a scheme to defraud and grand theft. Alex Toledo, OFR Acting Bureau Chief of Financial Investigations, said “Thank you to our investigators and our partners at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office for their efforts in stopping this alleged scam. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect Floridians from financial fraud.”..

08/28/2019

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Office of Financial Regulation today announced that William Wren surrendered to the Hillsborough County Jail on four felony charges of assessing or collecting advance fees as a loan broker. Alex Toledo, OFR Acting Bureau Chief of Financial Investigations, said “Collecting an advance fee for the promise of a loan is illegal in Florida. Our office will keep fighting to ensure Floridians are protected from these types of financial scams.” William Wren,...

08/25/2019

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Office of Financial Regulation today announced that Lawyer Stanley, Jr., has been sentenced to eight years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release and 100 hours of community service for his role in an investment scheme that stole more than $2.1 million from at least 36 victims. Stanley was also ordered to pay restitution to his victims. Alex Toledo, OFR Acting Bureau Chief of Financial Investigations, said “Thank you to our investigators...

07/31/2019

For further information and to apply for the commissioner position, visit the Florida Cabinet website.

07/09/2019

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Office of Financial Regulation today announced that Anis Blemur has been sentenced to more than 7 years (92 months) in federal prison and 5 years of supervised release for his role in an investment scheme that stole more than $1.6 million from victims in South Florida’s Haitian community. Alex Toledo, OFR Acting Bureau Chief of Financial Investigations, said “Thank you to the investigators and our partners for their efforts in bringing this criminal...

04/22/2019

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Office of Financial Regulation Commissioner Ronald L. Rubin today announced the appointment of Abigail L. Vail as the agency’s chief of staff. Commissioner Ronald L. Rubin said, “Abby is enthusiastic about my goals of fighting financial fraud, encouraging financial innovation, and reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens in Florida. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this position, and I am excited to have her...

04/15/2019

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Office of Financial Regulation applauds the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s April 11, 2019, arrest of Robert Shapiro, Ivan Acevedo and Dane Roseman for their roles in the massive multi-state Ponzi scheme orchestrated by the Woodbridge Group of Companies, LLC. An April 4, 2019, indictment unsealed in the Southern District of Florida in conjunction with the arrests charged the three Woodbridge executives with violating several federal laws,...

03/13/2019

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Office of Financial Regulation today announced that Jeremy Kee Anderson and Anthony Nick Nicholas, Jr., were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. Anderson, Nicholas, and convicted co-conspirators Irwin Charles Ager and Eric Leon Ager allegedly defrauded elder Floridians by selling investments backed by medical receivables through Tri-Med Corporation and Tri-Med Associates. OFR’s investigation revealed that the scammers...

03/06/2019

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Office of Financial Regulation today announced that Lathon Jeen Yee was arrested in Orlando on a charge of organized scheme to defraud. If convicted, Yee faces up to five years behind bars. CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “Arrests like these will help us fight back against these criminals and protect Florida’s consumers. Florida is currently among the top states for fraud and identity theft nationwide. These numbers are simply unacceptable and...

02/28/2019

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Office of Financial Regulation today announced that Thomas Michael White was sentenced to 14 years in prison for his involvement in an investment fraud scheme. White was also ordered to pay full restitution of $1,936,400 to his victims. To date, three of five defendants have been convicted and sentenced in relation to this matter. White solicited investments in First Call Ventures, which he represented to be a thriving business that generated sales leads...

02/25/2019

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Office of Financial Regulation today announced that Ronald L. Rubin has been appointed commissioner of the agency by the Financial Services Commission. Commissioner Ronald L. Rubin said, “I’m honored to have been chosen by the Financial Services Commission to serve Floridians as the leader of the OFR. It’s wonderful to be back in Florida, and I look forward to working with Governor DeSantis, CFO Patronis, Attorney General Moody, and...

02/06/2019

Ongoing OFR investigation shows victims scammed for nearly $7 million - Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Office of Financial Regulation today announced that an administrative complaint has been filed against seven firms and individuals, who offered and sold unregistered securities of Woodbridge Capital Investments, Inc., and other associated companies, to approximately 57 victims while not being registered as required by Chapter 517, Florida Statutes.

01/09/2019

Tallahassee, Fla. - The Florida Office of Financial Regulation today announced that Jose Luis Leon, Richard A. Renner, and Natalie M. Rogers were arrested on charges of racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, securities fraud, organized fraud and grand theft in the first degree for their alleged role in an investment fraud scheme. Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis said, “No matter the scheme, anyone who defrauds Floridians out of their nest egg are some of the worst...

01/03/2019

Tallahassee, Fla. - The Florida Office of Financial Regulation today announced that the new edition of its Fast Facts is now available. The pocket guide, released annually, provides Floridians with OFR data and trends from the past fiscal year. Interim Commissioner Pamela Epting said, “Our annual Fast Facts is a useful booklet that helps consumers and stakeholders understand more about who we are and what we do.

12/05/2018

Tallahassee, Fla. - The Florida Office of Financial Regulation today announced the sentencing of Justin Troy Spearman to more than four years in prison and eight years of probation after pleading no contest to charges of grand theft, securities fraud, selling unregistered securities and selling securities as unregistered agent. Interim Commissioner Pamela Epting said, “The Florida Office of Financial Regulation is committed to working with our state and federal partners to protect...