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Published on: February 26, 2020

Supreme Court Ruling May Impact Civil Asset Forfeiture Policies of Florida Police Departments

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling announced on February 19 has law enforcement agencies in Florida questioning whether they need to change how they seize people’s cash, cars, and homes using a practice known as civil asset forfeiture.

Civil asset forfeiture is a nationwide practice that allows authorities to seize property—vehicles, cash, houses, electronics, and the like—that are suspected of being connected to a crime. The Supreme Court’s ruling struck at the heart of the practice, which is derisively known as “policing for profit,” because police often use it to seize assets even if the owner isn’t charged with a crime.

Published on: February 25, 2020

Savannah Serrano of Putnam County, FL, Arrested for 2019 DUI Crash that Killed One, Injured Four

by Brian Silber

Authorities in Putnam County, FL, have announced the arrest of a woman accused of causing a DUI crash almost 10 months ago that killed a 75-year-old man and injured four others.

Savannah Serrano, 30, was charged with DUI manslaughter, DUI resulting in serious bodily injury, and DUI resulting in property damage. She was also charged with marijuana possession after marijuana was purportedly found in her vehicle. Serrano is being held at Putnam County Jail on $100,000 bond. The press did not name an attorney for her.

Published on: February 18, 2020

Florida Trucking Company Sues Feds for Seizing $181,000 in Cash at Tampa International Airport

by Brian Silber

A Tampa-based trucking company has filed a lawsuit after federal authorities purportedly seized more than $181,000 in cash from an employee who was flying to Cleveland to buy new trucks for their fleet.

FGL Transport, Inc. filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Published on: February 17, 2020

Dr. Moses deGraft-Johnson of Tallahassee, FL, Accused of Defrauding $26 Million from Medicaid, Medicare

by Brian Silber

Federal authorities in Florida have unsealed the indictment of a Florida surgeon accused of bilking the government and health insurers of more than $26 million, which he allegedly planned to use to finance his political career in Ghana.

Dr. Moses deGraft-Johnson was indicted on 58 counts, including health care fraud and conspiracy to commit health care fraud. He was ordered held until his trial date because he was deemed to be a flight risk. Attorney information wasn’t available at the time of writing.

Published on: February 14, 2020

Two Contractors in Saratoga Springs, NY, Arraigned for Failure to Obtain Workers’ Comp Insurance

by Brian Silber

The New York State Inspector General announced the arraignments of two construction contractors for allegedly putting their workers at risk by not providing them with workers’ compensation insurance coverage.

Segundo Loja and Robert A. Lutz were arraigned in Saratoga Springs City Court on February 6. According to court documents, Loja, who is the owner of NY Power Construction Corporation, allegedly submitted a fake certificate of insurance that showed his company had obtained both workers’ compensation and commercial general liability insurance coverage as required by law for any company with employees.