ASHLEY MOODY

A long-term drug bust investigation led to the arrest of multiple people accused of distributing several kilos of fentanyl in Volusia County.

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has removed another Democratic prosecutor, this time the state attorney from the 9th Judicial Circuit, which covers Orlando.

Several civil rights groups are challenging Florida’s new immigration law in a federal lawsuit.

Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Thursday at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa.

Three separate civil rights groups have issued their own travel warning for tourists visiting Florida citing recently passed legislation that the groups say has created a shadow of fear in Florida.

Gov. Ron DeSantis was in Titusville on Monday to sign three bills including one aimed at cracking down on those who sell fentanyl.

A scathing grand jury report from the Florida Supreme Court details federal flights filled with migrant children coming through Jacksonville International Airport in 2021.

With spring break in full swing, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is reminding families about the dangers of synthetic opioids and other illegal drugs.

Scammers have taken note of an expected spike in spring break travel this year, so make sure to protect your travel investment.

An Orange County pet store has been ordered to pay $85,000 to consumers after the Florida attorney general’s office said customers were deceived and sold sick or dying puppies, News4JAX sister station WKMG-TV News 6 reports.

Consumer protection agencies and state leaders are joining in a chorus ahead of the shopping season hoping to make sure that you and your loved ones have a happy holiday.

The Florida Cabinet returned to an all-Republican lineup Tuesday as outgoing Senate President Wilton Simpson was elected agriculture commissioner and Attorney General Ashley Moody and state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis won second terms.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said this could be the scariest Halloween of her lifetime -- that is why she’s warning families to watch out for candy tainted with the deadly drug fentanyl.

Attorney General Ashley Moody on Friday activated Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline.

A suspected multi-kilogram drug trafficking organization that brought fentanyl, cocaine and meth into Northeast Florida was disrupted when the Clay County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit got involved.

Fentanyl is a deadly synthetic opioid that can easily mix with other drugs to the point where you may not know it’s there.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist has defeated Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried in Florida's closely watched gubernatorial primary.

In a story published Aug. 21, 2022, The Associated Press reported on how the successor to suspended state attorney Andrew Warren in Tampa has dropped her predecessor’s practice of not prosecuting many misdemeanors.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has suspended the elected state prosecutor of Tampa for pledging not to enforce the state’s new 15-week abortion ban and for supporting gender transition treatments for minors.

Recent mass overdoses in Florida have the Drug Enforcement Administration sounding the alarm.

We don’t want you to lose money to scammers this summer, and the best way to protect yourself is to know a common summer scheme involves your air conditioning unit.

The Walgreens pharmacy chain has reached a $683 million settlement with the state of Florida in a lawsuit accusing the company of improperly dispensing millions of painkillers that contributed to the opioid crisis.

Florida Attorney General warns about using public wi-fi to file taxes.

A Florida sheriff says 41 people are charged with dozens of crimes in an effort to take down the leadership of a group called the Sex Money Murder gang.

The CVS drug store company and pharmaceutical companies will pay Florida a combined $860 million as part of the settlement of an opioid epidemic case.

The CVS drug store company and pharmaceutical companies will pay Florida a combined $860 million as part of the settlement of an opioid epidemic case.

Florida and 20 other states have sued to halt the federal government's pandemic requirement that people wear masks on planes, trains and other public transport.

Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Toni Schuck was honored Tuesday morning by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet for her quick efforts in stopping a motorist who drove past road closure signs during the Skyway 10K Bridge Run earlier this month.

Strawberry shortcake will become Florida’s state dessert after Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill at the festival that celebrates the fruit.

Following the lead of Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida House members Thursday began moving forward with a controversial proposal to try to boost immigration enforcement and target companies that transport undocumented immigrants into the state.

After a U.S. Supreme Court ruling this month that backed the Biden administration, Florida has dropped its appeal in a legal fight against federal COVID-19 vaccination requirements for health-care workers.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is recruiting businesses to train their employees on recognizing the signs of human trafficking.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody held a news conference Tuesday with state lawmakers to announce legislative efforts to help law enforcement and prosecutors dismantle retail theft rings.

Scammers know we're all using technology to keep an eye on our package shipments during the holiday season -- and they're ready to take advantage.

As Gov. Ron DeSantis launched another broadside against the federal government’s immigration policies, the state on Friday said it is dropping a legal challenge against the Biden administration over immigration directives issued early this year.

The state of Florida has been dealt an initial blow in its battle to block a federal rule requiring health care workers to get vaccinated.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody on Monday released a guide that aims to help protect holiday shoppers spot scams, recalls or any fake shopping sites set up on the internet.

A federal judge has quickly rejected Florida’s request to block a Biden administration requirement that workers at hospitals, nursing homes and other health-care providers be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday he’s looking into ways to stop planes with migrants from landing in Florida.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody on Wednesday recognized frontline officers with the Green Cove Springs Police Department.

If you receive a text message asking to renew your driver's license to show your COVID-19 vaccination status - don't click on it. It's not what you think.

For those who have gotten the COVID-19 vaccine, it might be tempting to have your vaccination status at your fingertips in case you need to travel somewhere out of state that requires proof of vaccinations.

The men and women who work for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office will find some welcome relief from the stress and anxiety that come with the job -- thanks to a newly “hired” co-worker.

Florida is suing President Joe Biden’s administration claiming his immigration policy is illegal.

A woman arrested in St. Johns County is accused of stealing more than $12,000 from an elderly victim and using the money for personal reasons, including paying court costs in a different case, Attorney General Ashley Moody said.

To combat the issue of law enforcement vacancies and attract recruits, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody announced three new policy proposals for next year’s Legislative session.

The state has taken the position it can continue imposing sanctions on school districts that don’t provide a parental opt-out as soon as it files for appeal.

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Office of Attorney General have settled pending civil actions involving the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Inc. (FCADV), its officers and directors, and the FCADV foundation for more than $5 million, the state announced Thursday.

Authorities say predators are known to prey on children using these popular apps.

Within the past year, a handful of local leaders have come forward with the news that they have tested positive for coronavirus.

We know parents have plenty on their minds as they get ready for the start of another pandemic-plagued school year. But scam threats shouldn't be one of them.

Florida’s attorney general, Ashley Moody, tweeted Wednesday that she has tested positive for COVID-19.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said Wednesday that she has tested positive for COVID-19.

Florida and 13 states have reached agreements worth a combined $26 billion with four companies over the damage inflicted by the opioid crisis.

Lawyers for the state are seeking to sidestep mediation ordered by a federal judge, in a legal challenge to a controversial law championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis aimed at cracking down on violent protests.

Attorney General Ashley Moody expanded Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline as Tropical Storm Elsa moves closer to Florida.

Delivering a second punch to the Florida Legislature in two days, a federal judge on Thursday blocked a new law that would cap contributions to political committees backing ballot initiatives, saying the law runs afoul of the First Amendment.

Have you gotten a suspicious email, phone call or text message offering you money to fill out a COVID-19 survey?

On the eve of a court hearing, Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office pushed back Wednesday in a fight with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about restrictions on cruise ships during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Next month, July 19 will mark the 45th anniversary of a man’s arrival on death row, who since the beginning has claimed his innocence in the killing of his wife and her family.

A mediator declared an impasse in talks aimed at resolving the battle between Florida and CDC over the restrictions, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office said Thursday.

Information about crime-fighting and prevention initiatives will now be on display in tax collector offices across the state, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced Wednesday.

A U.S. district judge has ordered mediation in Florida’s lawsuit challenging federal restrictions that have idled the cruise ship industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A day after a federal judge heard arguments in Florida’s request for a preliminary injunction against federal restrictions that have idled the cruise-ship industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Ron DeSantis expressed optimism Thursday that he would be successful in court and cruise ships will sail again by the summer.

With an increase in home sales comes more demand for movers, and Florida officials are warning consumers to avoid moving-related scams.

Where to drop-off your old, unused prescriptions on National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 24.

Two weeks after suing federal health officials, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has asked a judge for a preliminary injunction to block restrictions on the cruise-ship industry.

Florida recovered $1.7 million for the state’s seniors last year in refunds, savings, and money simply stolen from them. It’s part of an ongoing effort to fight exploitation and fraud.

In a win for Republican lawmakers and the National Rifle Association, an appeals court Friday upheld a 2011 state law that threatens tough penalties if city and county officials approve gun-related regulations.

A new program launched Friday in Florida will provide funding for Urban Leagues in Duval and several other counties to help young victims affected by crime.

The state of Florida has filed a lawsuit against the federal government to demand cruise ships be allowed to start sailing immediately, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday.

Attorney General Ashley Moody is asking online platforms to work to prevent scammers from selling fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination cards.

Millions typically cruise from Florida each year and the industry generates billions for the state's economy. The CDC shut down the cruise industry a year ago when several coronavirus outbreaks were tied to ships worldwide. Cruising has resumed with restrictions and protocols in much of the world with the industry leaders saying there have been no new outbreaks tied to their ships. AdCindy Prins, a University of Florida epidemiologist, defended the ban, saying it is still too early for cruise ships to operate. She said cruise lines would need to limit passengers and crew to those who can prove they are fully vaccinated to avoid spreading the virus.

“With many Americans set to receive direct payments from the federal government, we expect scammers will devise schemes to exploit the massive spending to trick recipients into parting with personal or financial information,” Moody said. To view Scams at a Glance: Stimulus Payments in English, click here . To view Scams at a Glance: Stimulus Payments in Spanish, click here . To view Scams at a Glance: Coronavirus Scams in English, click here . To access Moody’s Scams at a Glance webpage, click here .

The Associated Press interviewed each of the Cabinet members to discuss their 2021 legislative priorities:CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER JIMMY PATRONISOne of Patronis's top priorities reflects an issue supported by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican legislative leaders: Passing a bill to shield businesses from lawsuits related to COVID-19. He said he was inspired by a California law that went into affect last year in that state. A wide ranging food insecurity bill would create a tax credit of up to $5,000 for farmers who donate food to charities. “It makes sure that we can go after those folks like guardians and other fiduciaries that are exceeding their scope and taking advantage and exploiting seniors,” Moody said.

With murders increasing in parts of Florida, rewards for tips resulting in homicide arrests can now reach $9,500, up from $5,000, Attorney General Ashley Moody announced Wednesday. “Florida has experienced historic crime rate lows. But unfortunately, we have seen in certain parts of our state significant increases in murders,” Moody said during a news conference at the Orlando Police Department. The 27 Crime Stopper organizations in the state have been offering rewards between $1,000 and $5,000 for anonymous tips that provide information leading to arrests. AdAccording to Moody’s office, murders in Florida went up 16% in the first six months of 2020, with some of the highest rates found in Broward, Duval and Orange counties.

Raymond James Stadium, the site of NFL football Super Bowl LV, is shown Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)As Tampa gears up for one of the most unusual Super Bowls in history, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody warns human trafficking is as big of a concern as ever. Pandemic or not, Moody said, weekends with big events like the Super Bowl generate a lot of that money for those kinds of businesses. According to Moody’s office, during the 2020 Super Bowl in Miami, there were 47 arrests for human trafficking-related charges. AdMoody’s office teamed up with Uber, Airbnb and the Florida Beer Wholesalers Association to get their workers to recognize the signs of human trafficking.

According to recent news reports , scammers used the popular event website Eventbrite to pose as county health departments and take or attempt to take payments in exchange for COVID-19 vaccine appointments. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody issued a Consumer Alert warning Floridians about the COVID-19 vaccine scam. “Consumer Protection investigators and criminal prosecutors in my office are aggressively pursuing reports of scammers taking money in exchange for phony COVID-19 vaccine reservations,” Moody said. “If you have been a victim of this scam, please contact my office so we can end this fraud and help protect those seeking vaccinations.”States are overseeing the free COVID-19 vaccine distribution rather than the federal government. To help manage appointment scheduling, several counties in Florida have turned to ticketing services like Eventbrite; however, NO county is charging for vaccine reservations!

Floridians aren’t the only ones excited about the stimulus payments from the federal government that have already started being deposited in bank accounts across the state. Floridians are already receiving payments both through direct deposit and mailed checks. Moody wants to make sure you can spot and avoid scams related to the federal payments. To track stimulus payments, use the IRS Get My Payment tool by clicking here . Please remember that the IRS will NOT call or email Floridians about stimulus payments.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody on Wednesday joined 16 other states in backing a last-chance effort by Texas to get the U.S. Supreme Court to block election results in four swing states where the vote went in favor of President-elect Joe Biden. “The integrity and resolution of the 2020 election is of paramount importance,” Moody wrote in a statement as Florida joined a friend-of-the-court brief urging the Supreme Court to allow Texas to move forward with the case. The other states are Missouri, Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, and West Virginia. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court declined, without comment, to hear a challenge to Pennsylvania’s election results. Also, state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis backed Trump’s efforts in an interview Wednesday with The News Service of Florida.

Scammers may try to exploit the sense of urgency surrounding the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine to swindle those trying to protect their health. I am asking all Floridians to be on the lookout for vaccine-related scams and report fraud to our office.”Moody released the following tips to help Floridians avoid COVID-19 vaccine-related scams:Know that no COVID-19 vaccine has been approved by the FDA as of the time of this Consumer Alert; therefore, any attempt to sell a vaccine right now is not legitimate. Never send money or financial information to anyone offering a COVID-19 vaccine or claiming the ability to expedite the process. The FDA will host a meeting regarding vaccines and related biological products on Thursday to discuss Emergency Use Authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. To view the latest alerts and to stay up-to-date on COVID-19 related scams, visit the Attorney General’s Consumer Alert webpage by clicking here .

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Attorney General Ashley Moody said Wednesday the state has recovered about $2 million for consumers after such things as price gouging and scams related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Moody’s office said in a news release that it has received about 5,300 contacts from consumers about prices of “essential commodities,” such as face masks and sanitizing supplies, that are covered by a state price-gouging law. It said it has contacted merchants and online retailers about allegations of price gouging and other wrongdoing. “Our team is still assisting consumers with extreme price increases for commodities and services related to COVID-19,” Moody said in a prepared statement. “We will continue to work diligently to stop those exploiting this health crisis to target Floridians.”

Moody’s office contended that the January Supreme Court decision backing away from the 2016 ruling should lead to reinstating the original death sentences instead of holding new sentencing hearings. But the Supreme Court on Wednesday said orders granting resentencing could not be undone. The Florida Supreme Court in October 2016, in the Hurst v. State decision, interpreted and applied the U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The state court required unanimous jury recommendations before death sentences could be imposed and dealt with a critical issue of jurors finding what are known as “aggravating factors” that can justify death sentences. The state Supreme Court subsequently said its decision in Hurst v. State should be applied retroactively to cases going back to 2002.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is warning consumers of yet another scam -- this time a COVID-19 texting scam. The federal government will NEVER require personal banking information in a text message to get you a stimulus payment, Moody warned. “As long as COVID-19 remains a threat, scammers will attempt every trick in the book to exploit taxpayers and coerce them into disclosing personal information," Moody said in a news release. "I encourage all Floridians to familiarize themselves with emerging COVID-19 scams, available on our COVID-19 resource webpage at MyFloridaLegal.com/COVID19.”What you need to knowThe scam text message states the recipient received a $1,200 direct deposit from COVID-19 TREAS FUND and requires further action for the payment to be deposited into the account. If you do not have a filing requirement but are eligible for EIP, use the non-filers tool on the IRS website before Nov. 21 to claim the payment.

(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – As legal battles and vote counts continue in other states, Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis on Tuesday quickly certified the results of Florida’s Nov. 3 general election. DeSantis and the two Cabinet members, acting as the state Elections Canvassing Commission, did not comment before agreeing in a conference call to certify the results. More than 11.14 million Floridians cast ballots in the election.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody signed on Monday to a brief aimed at convincing the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a ruling that allowed Pennsylvania elections officials to count some late-arriving absentee ballots. Moody was one of 10 Republicans attorneys general who filed the brief in a challenge to a decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court that allowed counting absentee ballots received up to three days after the Nov. 3 election. The case is one of a flurry of lawsuits filed by Republicans alleging potential ballot fraud in various states. The GOP attorneys general in Monday’s brief said the decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court “exacerbated the risks of ballot fraud” in the key swing state. The brief was filed by Moody and the attorneys general of Missouri, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, South Dakota and Texas.

With the holiday season fast approaching, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is warning of holiday scams and launching new resources to help protect yourself and your family. It’s called Scams at a Glance: 'Tis the Season. The brochure provides resources and information on emerging frauds and schemes associated with the holidays and charitable donations. For a Spanish version of the Tis the Season edition, click here. Moody said knowing what to look for is the first step to keep yourself from becoming a victim.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida was one of 11 states that joined the U.S. Department of Justice in filing a major antitrust lawsuit Tuesday against internet search giant Google. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, alleges that Google has engaged in anticompetitive practices. “Absent a court order, Google will continue executing its anticompetitive strategy, crippling the competitive process, reducing consumer choice, and stifling innovation,” the lawsuit said. “Google is now the unchallenged gateway to the internet for billions of users worldwide. In a prepared statement, Moody said an investigation into Google “revealed that the global tech behemoth allegedly used its size and scale to build a moat around its core markets -- general search services and search advertising.”

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Administrator Timothy Shea warned Tuesday that the eventual lifting of coronavirus restrictions could bring a flood of methamphetamine and other narcotics from Mexico into the United States. Shea met in Tallahassee with federal, state and local law-enforcement officials from North Florida and Attorney General Ashley Moody. But Shea expects that will change with development of a vaccine for the virus and the eventual lifting of restrictions. “Virtually all of the methamphetamine and much of the fentanyl in this country comes from Mexico,” Shea said. “These drugs are manufactured on an industrial scale in Mexico using precursor chemicals from China and then smuggled across the border and distributed to every state in the country.”

There’s a new option on the table for Floridians who wish to share crime tips without compromising their anonymity. On Thursday, Attorney General Ashley Moody and the Florida Association of Crime Stoppers (FACS) unveiled a first-of-its-kind anonymous tip line that works no matter where in the state the tipster is calling from. Now, all tipsters have to do is dial **TIPS (**8477) and they’ll be connected with the local Crime Stoppers office in the region they’re calling from. During a news conference in Tampa, Moody expressed optimism that the tip line would build on Crime Stoppers' track record of helping police solve open cases. “The network of 27 Crime Stoppers chapters serving Florida is excited about implementing this new technology,” added Frank Brunner, president of the Florida Association of Crime Stoppers and executive director for Manatee County Crime Stoppers.

The controversy comes after former Democratic Presidential Candidate Michael Bloomberg pledged to donate at least $16 million to the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. “It doesn’t smell good, it doesn’t look good,” said Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, a Republican. Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Deputy Director Neil Volz said the organization doesn’t ask about the race or political leanings of the felons whose fines they pay. The coalition told us it has so far spent $5 million to pay the fines and fees of 5,000 felons. There are estimated to be about 750,000 felons in Florida currently blocked from voting because of outstanding costs related to their sentence.

Attorney General Ashley Moody sent letters to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FBI saying that further investigation is warranted. Ron DeSantis had asked Moody to review allegations that Bloomberg and the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition had violated the law by offering incentives for voting. The Florida Rights Restitution Coalition had raised about $5 million before Bloomberg made calls to raise almost $17 million more, according to Bloomberg staffers. Neil Volz, the group's executive director, has also had his voting rights restored and the clemency board restored his other civil rights Wednesday. “It just seems like, then what is enough?”The question of satisfying financial obligations before voting rights are restored continues to be battled in court.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – With Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried calling for a coordinated response by statewide elected officials to the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday defended the actions of agencies under his control. DeSantis and the Cabinet also held a conference call on May 28. Fried, the lone statewide elected Democrat, has repeatedly called for Cabinet meetings and more coordination amid the pandemic. “When you talk to like a hospital or all these places, it’s not only that we’re there to help, they’ll say that, but we’re there very quickly when someone needs something,” DeSantis told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.

Sadly, these events often bring with them a wave of fraud and other types of crime. My office and local law enforcement will work tirelessly to protect Floridians, but citizens can help by taking steps to protect themselves. Attorney General Ashley MoodyAccording to Moody’s office, after a natural disaster consumers should be wary of tree service scams, building and home repair scams, disaster relief scams and water testing and treatment scams. Charity Scams: This scam is particularly effective after a disaster, during which numerous disaster-specific charities pop up. If you would like to donate to help with disaster relief, consider these tips:Avoid solicitors that use high-pressure tactics or are hesitant to provide additional information on the charitable organizationBe wary of charities with similar-sounding names.

The 47 attorneys general and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reached the settlement with PEAKS Trust, which ran a private loan program for ITT Tech. According to the agreement, PEAKS acknowledged coercing students into taking out high-interest loans, has agreed to forgive outstanding loans and end operations. “I am glad we were able to secure debt relief for former students who are still financially affected by this high-pressure loan program,” Moody said in a statement. Moody said students don’t have to do anything to receive the relief. Students may direct questions to PEAKS at customerservice@peaksloans.com or 866-747-0273, or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at 855-411-2372.

Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill to raise the age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21 because it would have also banned the sale of flavored liquid nicotine products used in vaping. This legislation would almost assuredly lead more people to resume smoking cigarettes and it would drive others to the hazardous black market, DeSantis wrote, pointing out lung injury associated with black market products. He said it also would be devastating to small businesses that sell vaping products. The veto came hours after Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody issued a press release warning about the dangers of underage vaping. The statement touted her work to get the bill passed.

Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill to raise the age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21 because it would have also banned the sale of flavored liquid nicotine products used in vaping. “This legislation would almost assuredly lead more people to resume smoking cigarettes and it would drive others to the hazardous black market,” DeSantis wrote, pointing out lung injury associated with black market products. He said it also would be devastating to small businesses that sell vaping products. The veto came hours after Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody issued a press release warning about the dangers of underage vaping. The United States and Florida Surgeons General have declared vaping to be an epidemic.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Scammers targeting parents and grandparents with phony calls about family member arrests are using COVID-19 concerns to strike more fear, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said. Moody warned in a Consumer Alert issued Tuesday that scammers are putting a new twist on the common scam. For years, she said, scammers have targeted parents and grandparents with phony calls claiming a family member is under arrest. Imposter phone calls are effective because spoofing technology allows scammers to change the information displayed on caller IDs to give the appearance that their calls are coming from a government entity. To avoid falling victim to an imposter scam:Do not automatically trust the number listed on the caller ID, especially with respect to unsolicited calls.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Ahead of Hurricane Isaias arrival, Floridas attorney general has expanded the price-gouging hotline, which has been activated for the pandemic since March, to include storm supplies as well. Hand sanitizer, personal protective equipment and household cleaning supplies were protected under the original order enacted in response to coronavirus, but now gas, food and water will be included, too. Attorney General Ashley Moody said her office has screened thousands of complaints from the pandemic and recovered hundreds of thousands of dollars. She said her office is up to the task of expanding its work. That is unique, but what is not unique is how the Florida Attorney Generals Office will respond and take those complaints, Moody said.

Attorney General Ashley Moody added Hurricane Isaias to the states price-gouging hotline operations on Friday. If you see price gouging, report it to my office, Moody said in a video released by her office. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 19 counties as the storm churned toward Floridas Atlantic coast. State law prohibits excessive increases in the price of essential commodities --- such as food, water, hotel rooms, ice, gasoline and lumber --- during a state of emergency. The hotline is available using Moodys NO SCAM app or by calling 1-866-9NO-SCAM.