Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES, DIVISION OF FUNERAL, CEMETERY, AND CONSUMER SERVICES
Respondent: HEATHER JL MORTON-SKIPPER
Judges: WILLIAM F. QUATTLEBAUM
Agency: Department of Financial Services
Locations: Lakeland, Florida
Filed: Aug. 08, 2007
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Friday, August 17, 2007.
Latest Update: Dec. 26, 2024
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FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF
FINANCIAL
SERVICES
ALEX SINK.
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
STATE OF FLORIDA
IN THE MATTER OF:
HEATHER JL. MORTON-SKIPPER
License No. FE 4320 CASE NO.: 86369-06-FC
CP 20060500249
/
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
TO: Heather JL Morton-Skipper
2090 East Edgewood Drive
Lakeland, Florida 33803
You, Heather JL Morton-Skipper (hereinafter “you”) are hereby notified that the
Department of Financial Services (the “department”) has directed an investigation in connection
with your license to operate as a funeral director and embalmer. Based upon the investigation, it
is alleged:
GENERAL ALLEGATIONS
1. The Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services (hereinafter the
“board”) and the Department of Financial Services, have jurisdiction over your licensure as a
funeral director and embalmer and the subject matter of this proceeding, pursuant to the
provisions of chapter 20.121 and chapter 497, Florida Statutes, the Florida Funeral, Cemetery,
and Consumer Services Act (hereinafter the “act”.
2. The board has the authority to determine through probable cause panels whether
there is probable cause to believe there is a violation of chapter 497, Florida Statutes, and
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whether a proposed administrative prosecution of a licensee shall go forward, as set forth in
sections 497.103(1)(v) and 497.153(3), Florida Statutes.
3, A probable cause panel found probable cause to charge you with violations of
chapter 497, Florida Statutes, and the department’s administrative rules on February 14, 2007,
and directed the department to prosecute.
4. During the period of May. 27, 2004, to March 18, 2005, you were employed by
Oak Ridge Funeral Care, a licensed funeral establishment with license number FH 2492,
5. At all times relevant to the allegations of this administrative complaint, you were
licensed as a fimeral director and embalmer.
6. On May 4, 2006, Mr. Dave L. Holt, Funeral Director in Charge and owner of Oak
Ridge Funeral Care, filed a Complaint Form — Funeral and Cemetery Matters with the
department, alleging the following facts:
a. On May 27, 2004, you sold a funerary monument to Ms. Carla Meija and received
$740.00 cash. You never ordered the monument and kept the cash paid for the
monument.
b. On October 6, 2004, you sold a funerary monument to Ms. Gloria Boyette and
received $1000.00 cash. You never ordered the monument and kept the cash paid
for the monument.
c. On March 17, 2005, Oak Ridge Funeral Care found out about the Meija
transaction when the owner’s wife, Ms. Nadine Pantano, overheard a phone call
from Ms. Meija. Ms. Meija stated that she repeatedly called you about her
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transaction and was told by you a false story that the truck carrying the
monuments was in an accident, damaging the monument ordered by Ms. Meija.
d. Oak Ridge Funeral Care confronted you about the Mcija transaction and you
subsequently paid for the monument. Oak Ridge Funeral Care terminated your
employment on March 18, 2005.
e. Oak Ridge Funeral Care later discovered the transaction involving Ms. Boyette,
Criminal charges were filed against you for grand theft. Oak Ridge Funeral Care
paid for Ms, Boyette’s monument.
7. You pled nolo contendere to the charge of Third Degree Grand Theft, related to
the transactions described above. Adjudication was withheld. You were sentenced to five years
probation, ordered to pay a fine, ordered to make $1000.00 restitution to Oak Ridge Funeral Care
for Ms. Boyctte’s monument, and ordered to fulfill other probation conditions.
COUNT ONE
8. The above general allegations are hereby realleged and fully incorporated herein
by reference.
9. On or about January 18, 2006, you pled nolo contendere to Third Degree Grand
Theft, related to the transactions described in paragraph 6, above.
IT 18 THEREFORE CHARGED that you have violated or are accountable under the
following provisions of the act which set forth grounds for discipline, including the suspension
or revocation of your licensure as a funeral director and embalmer:
(a) Violating any provisions of the act, Section 497.152( 1)(a), Florida Statutes
(2006), formerly section 470.036(1)(h), Florida Statutes (2003);
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(b) Being found guilty of, or entering a plea of nolo contendere to, regardless of
adjudication, a crime in any jurisdiction that relates to the practice of, or the ability to practice, a
licensee’s profession or occupation under this act. Section 497.152(2), Florida Statutes (2006),
formerly 470,036(1)(d), Florida Statutes (2003).
COUNT TWO
10. The above general allegations are hereby realleged and fully incorporated herein
by reference.
11. During the period between May 27, 2004 and March 17, 2005 you falsely
represented to Ms. Meija that the funerary monument she paid for was dam aged in an accident.
IT I8 THEREFORE CHARGED that you have violated or are accountable under the
following provisions of the act which set forth grounds.for discipline, and are therefore subject to
the suspension or revocation of your license as a funeral director and embalmer:
(a) Violating any provisions of the act. Section 497.152(1)(a), Florida Statutes (2006),
formerly 470.036(1)(h), Florida Statutes (2003);
‘(b) Directly or indirectly making any deceptive, misleading, or untrue representations,
whether oral or written, or employing any trick, scheme, or artifice, in or related to the practice
of a profession or occupation regulated under this chapter, including in the advertising or sale of
any merchandise or services related to the practice of the profession or occupation. Section
497.152(9)(£), Florida Statutes (2006), formerly section 470.036(1)(m), Florida Statutes (2003).
COUNT THREE
12. The above general allegations are hereby realleged and fully incorporated herein
by reference.
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13. On or about May 27, 2004, you entered into a contract for sale of a funerary
monument to Ms. Meija and then subsequently failed without justification to timely honor the
contract.
IT IS THEREFORE CHARGED that you have violated or are accountable under the
following provisions of the act which set forth grounds for discipline, and are therefore subject to
the suspension or revocation of your license as a funeral director and embalmer:
(a) Violating any provisions of the act. Section 497.152(1)(a), Florida Statutes (2006),
formerly section 470.036(1)(h), Florida Statutes (2003);
(b) Failing without reasonable justification to timely honor contracts entered into by the
licensee or under the licensee’s license for funeral or burial merchandise or services. Section
497.152(13), Florida Statutes (2006).
COUNT FOUR
14. The above general allegations are hereby realleged and fully incorporated herein
by reference,
15. On or about October 6, 2004, you entered into a contract for sale of a funerary
monument to Ms. Boyette and then subsequently failed without justification to timely honor the
contract.
IT IS THEREFORE CHARGED that you have violated or are accountable under the
following provisions of the act which set forth grounds for discipline, and are therefore subject to
the suspension or revocation of your license as a funeral director and embalmer:
(a) Violating any provisions of the act, Section 497.1 52(1)(a), Florida Statutes (2006),
formerly 470.036(1)(h), Florida Statutes (2003);
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(b) Failing without reasonable justification to timely honor contracts entered into by the
licensee or under the licensee’s license for funeral or burial merchandise or services. Section
497.152(13), Florida Statutes,
WHEREFORE, the Department respectfully requests that the board enter an order
imposing one or more of the following penalties: revocation or suspension of your license;
imposition of an administrative fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each count
of separate offense; issuance of a written reprimand; placement of you on probation; assessment
of costs associated with investigation and prosecution; requiring you to make restitution:
imposition of any or all penalties delineated within section 497.153(5), Florida Statutes; and any
other relief that the board is authorized to impose pursuant to chapter 497, Florida Statutes, and
the rules promulgated thereunder.
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NOTICE OF RIGHTS
You have the right to request a proceeding to contest this action by the Florida
Department of Financial Services, Board of Funeral, Cemetery and Consumer Services ("hoatd")
pursuant to sections 120.569 and 120,57, Florida Statutes, and rule 28-106, Florida
Administrative Code. The proceeding request must be in writing, signed by you, and must be
filed with the Florida Department of Financial Services (“department”) within twenty-one (21)
days of yout receipt of this notice. Completion of the attached Election of Proceeding form
and/or a petition for administrative hearing will suffice as a written request. The request must be
filed with the General Counsel acting as Agency Clerk, at the Florida Department of Financial
Services, 612 Larson Building, 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0333. Your
written response must be received by the department no later than 5:00 p.m. on the twenty-first
day after your receipt of this notice. Mailing the response on the twenty-first day will not
preserve your right to.a hearing.
YOUR FAILURE TO RESPOND IN WRITING WITHIN
TWENTY-ONE (21) DAYS OF YOUR RECEIPT OF THIS
NOTICE WILL CONSTITUTE A WAIVER OF YOUR
RIGHT TO REQUEST A PROCEEDING ON THE
MATTERS ALLEGED HEREIN AND AN ORDER OF
SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION WILL BE ENTERED
AGAINST YOU.
If you request a proceeding, you must provide information that complies with the
requirements of rule 28-106.2015, Florida Administrative Code. As noted above, completion of
the attached Election of Proceeding form conforms to these requirements. Specifically, your
response must contain:
(a) The name, address, and telephone number, and facsimile number (if any) of the
respondent (for the purpose of requesting a hearing in this matter, you are the "respondent").
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(b) The name, address, telephone number, facsimile number of the attorney or
qualified representative of the respondent (if any) upon whom service of pleadings and other
papers shall be made.
(c) A statement requesting an administrative hearing identifying those material facts
that are in dispute. If there are none, the petition must so indicate.
(d) A statement of when the respondent received notice of the administrative
complaint.
(e) A statement including the file number of the administrative complaint.
Ifa hearing of any type is requested, you have the right to be represented by counsel or
other qualified representative at your expense, to present evidence and argument, to call and
cross-examine witnesses, and to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of
documents by subpoena.
If a proceeding is requested and there is no dispute of material fact, the provisions of
section 120.57(2), Florida Statutes, apply. You may submit oral or written evidence in
opposition to the action taken by the board or a written statement challenging the grounds upon
which the board has relied. While a hearing is normally not required in the absence of a dispute
of fact, if you feel that a hearing is necessary, one will be conducted in Tallahassee, Florida, or
by telephonic conference call upon your request.
However, if you dispute material facts which are the basis for the board’s action, you
must request an adversarial proceeding pursuant to sections 120.569 and 120.57(1), Florida
Statutes. These proceedings are held before a State Administrative Law Judge of the Division of
Administrative Hearings. Unless the majority of witnesses are located elsewhere, the
Department will request that the hearing be conducted in Tallahassee, Florida.
Failure to follow the procedure outlined with regard to your response to this notice may
result in the request being denied. All prior oral communication or correspondence in this matter
shall be considered freeform agency action, and no such oral communication o¢ correspondence
shall operate as a valid request for an administrative proceeding. Any request for an
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administrative proceeding received prior to the date of this notice shall be deemed abandoned
unless timely renewed in compliance with the guidelines as set out above.
Mediation of this matter pursuant to section 120.573, Florida Statutes, is not available.
No department attorney will discuss this matter with you until the response has been received by
the department. :
DATED and SIGNED this _. 5 day of : — , 2007.
KAREN CHANDLER
Deputy Chief Financial Officer
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I HEREBY CERTIFY that a copy of the foregoing ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
has been furnished to Ms. Heather. Morton-Skipper, at the above-stated address by U.S. Certified
Mail this (9 -f4- day of _ , 2007.
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oct 0 RI
Ela. Rar V 1% 8SQ
Department of Financial Services
Division of Legal Services
200 E. Gaines Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-4229
Docket for Case No: 07-003603PL