Recent Blog Posts
Former College Prep Teacher Arrested, Charged With Sex Crime In South Florida
On March 14th, 2024, WSVN reported that a former college prep teacher in South Florida has been arrested and charged with a sex-based offense. Boris Fernando Bastidas, a 35-year-old now former teacher in Hollywood, is accused of carrying on a sexual affair with a 15-year-old student. Within this article, our Orlando sex crimes defense… Read More »
Attorney In Florida Sentenced In Seven Figure Tax Fraud Case
According to reporting from WPEC, Michael L. Meyer, an attorney from South Florida, has been sentenced to federal prison as part of a multi-million dollar tax fraud case. Mr. Meyer marketed and sold services called “Ultimate Tax Plan”—and the Department of Justice (DOJ) contends that that “plan” was used to help wealthy individuals unlawfully… Read More »
NFL Player Wanted For Domestic Violence In Florida
According to a report from Fox 2 Detroit, Cam Sutton—a cornerback who had signed with the Detroit Lions earlier this offseason—is wanted for domestic violence. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is pursuing Mr. Sutton for charges of domestic battery by strangulation—a serious felony offense in Florida. Within this blog post, our Orlando domestic violence… Read More »
Can You Get A Flawed Breath Test Thrown Out Of A DUI Case In Florida?
Are you facing a charge for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol? Breath test results—assuming you took one—are generally a key part of the prosecution’s case. You may be wondering: Can I challenge breathalyzer test results in a DUI case? The answer is “yes”—and flawed breath tests could be excluded… Read More »
What Is The Difference Between Embezzlement And Theft?
Are you or a loved one facing allegations that you improperly took funds or assets from an employer or another party with whom you were in a position of trust? If so, you could be concerned about facing an embezzlement crime. In Florida, embezzlement is not its own unique offense—instead these are theft cases…. Read More »
Dentist In North Florida Faces Investigation For Medicaid Fraud In So-Called “Tooth Fairy Heist” Scheme
According to a report from Action Jax News, a dentist in North Florida is facing an investigation for defrauding Medicaid through the so-called “Tooth Fairy Heist.” Notably, five dental clinic management in South Florida were arrested as part of that scheme in 2022. However, those charges were dropped. No person was convicted in relation… Read More »
Florida Resident Charged With In Multi-Million Bank Fraud Conspiracy
According to reporting from Bloomberg Law, a resident of Florida has been arrested and charged as part of a multi-million bank fraud conspiracy case. Manley Vanel Neptune—a 33-year-old man from Lake Worth, Florida—is facing a maximum of 30 years in prison. Within this blog post, our Orlando white collar defense lawyer discusses the allegations… Read More »
Six People Face Charges In PPP Scam In South Florida
On March 20th, 2024, The Palm Beach Post reported that six people, including a pastor from Riviera Beach, have been arrested and charged as part of an alleged $3 million Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud case. Here, our Orlando white collar defense lawyer discusses the allegations and explains what to do if you are… Read More »
Orlando Woman Sentenced To Two Years In Prison In Vehicular Homicide Case
According to a report from WPTV, Jamie Padgett, a now 22-year-old woman from Orlando, has been sentenced to two years in prison as part of a vehicular homicide case in Florida. The crash occurred in 2022. Here, our Orlando DUI manslaughter defense lawyer discusses the allegations and charges brought in this case. Deadly DUI… Read More »
Orlando City Commissioner Indicted, Faces Mortgage Fraud Charge
According to a report from WESH 2, Regina Hill, the Orlando City Commissioner, has been arrested. She stands accused of defrauding an elderly constituent. Along with the other offenses, Ms. Hill is facing a mortgage fraud charge. She is facing multiple felonies. The Orlando Sentinel confirms that Regina Hill has been suspended from her… Read More »
Can A Doctor Be Charged With A Crime For Violating The Stark Law?
There are strict rules and regulations in place regarding how physicians and other health care providers bill federal health programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. Under 42 U.S.C. § 1395nn—or as it is more commonly known the “Stark Law”—physician self-referrals are largely prohibited. What happens if a doctor violates the Stark Law? The short answer… Read More »
Woman In Florida Convicted In Multi-Million Tax Fraud Case After Years On The Run
On March 2nd, 2024, Yahoo News reported that a woman from Florida has been convicted of a serious felony offense as part of a multi-million tax fraud case. Judy Grace Sellers—who spent several years as a fugitive—faces a maximum of 23 years in federal prison. Here, our Orange County white collar criminal defense lawyer… Read More »
Former Lawyer Charged With Federal Crime In Embezzlement Case
On December 21st, 2023, Bloomberg Law News reported that a lawyer has been arrested and charged with a federal crime for allegedly embezzling in excess of $1 million from his former law firm. The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Jason R. Caraway—a former partner at the Caraway, Fisher & Broombaugh, P.C. law firm… Read More »
Woman In Central Florida Sentences In COVID-19 Relief Funds Fraud Case
On December 14th, 2023, Yahoo News reported that a Central Florida woman was sentenced to federal prison for her role in a COVID-19 fraud case. The United States Attorneys’ Office for the Middle District of Florida has confirmed that 31-year-old Passion Jackson of Ocala, FL has been sentenced to two years in federal prison… Read More »
Florida Court Dismisses Criminal Charges Against Seven Doctors In Long-Standing “Pill Mill” Case
On February 22nd, 2024, Treasure Coast News reported that a Florida court had dismissed criminal charges against seven doctors. The physicians—along with several business executives—were facing allegations as part of a more than decade-long “pill mill” case. Here, our Orlando criminal defense attorney provides an overview of the allegations and the court decision. Background:… Read More »
Former Insurance Agent In Florida Gets 15 Year Prison Sentence In White Collar Fraud Case
On February 2nd, 2024, the Florida Record reported that a federal district court judge in Central Florida has sentenced Phillip Roy Wasserman to serve 15 years in state prison. Mr. Wasserman was convicted of carrying out a complex white collar fraud scheme, involving investment fraud, wire fraud, and tax fraud. He was also ordered… Read More »
Man From Florida Arrested, Charged With Election Fraud Offense In Kansas
According to a report from the Tampa Bay Times, George Andrews—a 30-year-old man from Dade City, Florida—has been arrested and charged with an election fraud offense in Kansas. Mr. Andrews stands accused of forging signatures on a petition for ballot access for the “No Labels” party. Here, our Orlando white collar criminal defense lawyer… Read More »
Doctor In Florida Arrested, Charged As Part Of Alleged Drug Distribution Scheme
According to a report from NBC News Channel 8, a doctor in Hernando County has been arrested as part of an investigation into an alleged drug distribution scheme. Her granddaughter is also facing serious criminal charges. Within this article, our Orlando white collar criminal defense attorney explains what we know about the charges filed… Read More »
White Collar Crime: Florida Executive Pleads Guilty In $110 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme
According to a report from Hoodline, an executive from Florida has entered a guilty plea in a $110 million Medicare fraud case in a federal court in Boston, Massachusetts. Steven Richardson—a 40-year-old man from Broward County, Florida—pleaded guilty to a single count of federal conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Here, our Orlando white… Read More »
Doctor In Florida Arrested For Video Voyeurism
According to a report from WTSP, Dr. Pola Gayed—a physical therapy physician—from Polk County and Florida has been arrested for video voyeurism after allegedly recording a juvenile who was changing in a medical room. The doctor is also facing an evidence tampering charge. Here, our Orlando sex crimes defense lawyer for doctors discusses the… Read More »
Jose Baez Secures Release of Guatemalan Teen Falsely Accused and Arrested for the Natural Case Death of Police Officer
St. Augustine, Fla. — Nationally renowned criminal defense attorney Jose Baez has come to an agreement with Assistant State Attorney Mark Johnson for the release of Guatemalan teen, Virgilio Aguilar Mendez (a/k/a Vergilio Aguilar Mendez), who has been falsely accused and arrested for the tragic death of Sgt. Kunovich due to natural causes. On… Read More »
What Is Racketeering?
Racketeering is a very serious, but often misunderstood criminal charge. If you or your loved one is facing allegations of illicit racketeering, it is crucial that you know what you are being accused of, the penalties that you could face, and the potential defense strategies that are available. Here, our Orlando white collar criminal… Read More »
Tax Preparer Sentenced To Prison In White Collar Fraud Case In Florida
On February 26th, 2024, Bloomberg Law reported that Phedson Dore—a tax preparer from Florida—was sentenced to two years in prison in a federal tax fraud case. Mr. Dore and his co-conspirator were convicted of filing hundreds of false tax returns over a three year period. Here, our Orlando white collar criminal defense lawyer highlights… Read More »
Daughter Of Former Mayor In Broward County Facing Serious Felony Fraud Charges
On January 3rd, 2024, the Miami Herald reported that Richelle Holness —the daughter of the former mayor of Broward, Florida—is facing serious federal felony fraud charges. She is facing a conspiracy to commit wire fraud charge after allegedly defrauding her father’s campaign donors out of thousands of dollars. In this article, our Orlando white… Read More »
Report: Flawed Roadside Drug Tests Result In More Than 30,000 Wrongful Arrest Each Year
According to a report from Reason Magazine, a new study finds that approximately 30,000 people are wrongfully arrested because of flawed roadside drug tests in the United States each year. It is an alarming finding. Within this blog post, our Orlando drug crimes defense attorney highlights the key things to know about the study… Read More »
