Findings Of Fact Based upon the oral and documentary evidence adduced at the Final Hearing and the entire record in this proceeding, the following findings of fact are made: On March 3, 1994 Petitioner submitted to the Department an application for licensure as a Limited Surety Agent (Bail Bondsman). In a Denial Letter dated July 20, 1994, the Department notified Petitioner that his application for licensure was denied. The basis for the Department's denial of Petitioner's application was Petitioner's past felony convictions. The evidence established that on or about December 4, 1980, Petitioner was charged in the Circuit Court for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Case Number 80-105 (the "First State Case"), with trafficking in illegal drugs and the use of a firearm during the commission of a felony in violation of Sections 893.135 and 790.07, Florida Statutes. On June 5, 1981, Petitioner pled no contest in the First State Case to trafficking in excess of two thousand (2,000) pounds, but less than ten thousand (10,000) pounds of cannabis. Petitioner was fined and placed on probation for ten (10) years. On or about June 14, 1981, Petitioner was charged in the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, Case Numbers 83-6033-CR-EPS and 83-6038-CR-NCR (the "Federal Cases"), with five felony counts of possession with intent to distribute illegal drugs and conspiracy to import illegal drugs into the United States of America, in violation of Title 21, Sections 841(a)(1), 846, 952(a), 960(a), 963, and 843(b), United States Code. On or about November 5, 1981, Petitioner was charged in the Circuit Court for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Case Number 81-1191 CFG (the "Second State Case") with violation of the Florida Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organization Act ("RICO"), Section 943.462, Florida Statutes. Although the exact timing is not clear, at some point after his arrest, Petitioner began cooperating with authorities which led to plea bargains and a sentence which did not include any jail time. On April 4, 1984, Petitioner pled guilty to one count in each of the Federal Cases to attempt and conspiracy to import marijuana and methaqualaudes into the United States of America. As a result of his plea in the Federal Cases, Petitioner was fined and placed on 5 years probation. On April 6, 1984, Petitioner pled guilty in the Second State Case, was fined $7,500.00 and placed on probation for fifteen (15) years. This plea was negotiated as part of the plea in the Federal Cases. Petitioner's probation from the First State Case was terminated May 20, 1988. Petitioner's probation from the Federal Cases was terminated on April 21, 1989 and September 11, 1989. Petitioner's civil rights were restored pursuant to Executive Orders of the Office of Executive Clemency dated May 19, 1989 and May 23, 1990. It is not clear from the record if the Executive Orders constitute a "full pardon" as suggested by counsel for Petitioner at the hearing in this matter. Petitioner down plays his role in the elaborate criminal scheme that led to his arrests and convictions. He suggests that all of the charges were related to the same scheme. Insufficient evidence was presented to reach any conclusions regarding the underlying criminal activity and/or Petitioner's exact involvement. Petitioner has been very active in community affairs since his convictions. He has apparently been a good family man and claims to have rehabilitated himself. Subsequent to his conviction, Petitioner and three other investors started a bail bond business. Petitioner claims he did not play an active role in the business. However, when the Department learned of his involvement, it required Petitioner to terminate any affiliation with the company. Petitioner's wife currently owns a bail bond company. Petitioner operates a "court services" business out of the same building where his wife's bail bond business operates. No evidence was presented of any improper involvement by Petitioner in his wife's business.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is recommended that the Department of Insurance and Treasurer enter a Final Order denying Petitioner's application for licensure as a Limited Surety Agent. DONE AND RECOMMENDED this 2nd day of August, 1995, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. J. STEPHEN MENTON Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 2nd day of August, 1995. APPENDIX TO RECOMMENDED ORDER, CASE NO. 94-4893 Rulings on the proposed findings of fact submitted by the Petitioner: Subordinate to findings of fact 4 through 10. Subordinate to findings of fact 13. Rejected as unnecessary. Adopted in substance in findings of fact 1. Adopted in substance in findings of fact 2. Adopted in the Preliminary Statement. Rejected as vague and unnecessary. Subordinate to findings of fact 14 and 15. Subordinate to findings of fact 14 and 15. Rulings on the proposed findings of fact submitted by the Respondent: Adopted in substance in findings of fact 1. Adopted in substance in findings of fact 2. Adopted in substance in findings of fact 2 through 10. Subordinate to findings of fact 14. Rejected as argumentative and unnecessary. COPIES FURNISHED: Bill Nelson State Treasurer and Insurance Commissioner The Capitol, Plaza Level Tallahassee, FL 32399-0300 Dan Sumner Acting General Counsel Department of Insurance The Capitol, PL-11 Tallahassee, FL 32399 Julio Gutierrez, Esq. 2225 Coral Way Miami, FL 33145 Allen R. Moayad, Esq. Florida Department of Insurance and Treasurer 612 Larson Building 200 E. Gaines Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-0300
The Issue Whether Respondent is guilty of having obtained a real estate license by fraud, misrepresentation, or concealment in violation of Subsection 475.25(1)(m), Florida Statutes (2004). Whether Respondent is guilty of failure to comply with Florida Administrative Code Rule 61J2-2.027(2), and, therefore, is in violation of Subsection 475.25(1)(e), Florida Statutes (2004).
Findings Of Fact Petitioner is the state agency charged with the responsibility and duty to prosecute administrative complaints pursuant to Section 20.165 and Chapters 120, 455, and 475, Florida Statutes (2004). At all times material, Respondent was a licensed Florida real estate sales associate, issued license number 3019284 in accordance with Chapter 475, Florida Statutes (2004). Petitioner has jurisdiction over disciplinary proceedings for the Florida Real Estate Commission (Commission). Petitioner is authorized to prosecute administrative complaints against licensees within the Commission's jurisdiction. On or about August 6, 2001, Respondent submitted to Petitioner an application for licensure as a real estate salesperson. Respondent signed a sworn affidavit on the application which indicated that Respondent carefully read the application, answers, and the attached statements, if any, and that all such answers and statements were true, correct, and complete to his knowledge without any evasions or mental reservations. Question 9 on the application asks: Have you ever been convicted of a crime, found guilty, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere (no Contest), even if adjudication was withheld: This question applies to a violation of the laws of any municipality, county, state or nation, including traffic offenses (but not parking, speeding, inspection, or traffic signal violations), without regard to whether you were placed on probation, had adjudication withheld, paroled, or pardoned. If you intend to answer "NO" because you believe those records have been expunged or sealed by court order pursuant to Section 943.058, Florida Statutes, or applicable law of another state, you are responsible for verifying the expungement or sealing to answering "NO." If you answered "Yes," attach the details including dates and outcome, including any sentence and conditions imposed, in full on a separate sheet of paper. Your answer to this question will be checked against local, state and federal records. Failure to answer this question accurately could cause denial of licensure. If you do not fully understand this question, consult with an attorney or the Division of Real Estate. Respondent marked the "Yes" box on the application in response to this question and provided insufficient or no explanation for the incidents in his criminal history. Respondent signed the "Affidavit of Applicant." Respondent's signature was duly notarized, and the application was submitted. Relying on Respondent's incomplete representations, Petitioner issued Respondent a Florida real estate salesperson's license. Petitioner subsequently performed a background check and discovered the following: In 1998, Respondent was adjudicated guilty of DUI. In 1987, Respondent was adjudicated guilty of possession of a controlled substance. In 1986, Respondent was adjudicated guilty of driving under the influence of liquor. In 1985, Respondent was adjudicated guilty of driving a motor vehicle while his license was suspended. In 1985, Respondent was adjudicated guilty of simple assault and battery. Respondent failed to include the above-mentioned adjudications on his application for licensure. Petitioner's Exhibits 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are copies of court documents demonstrating that Respondent was adjudicated guilty in each unreported offense. Respondent testified that he failed to report the adjudications until August 20, 2003. However, Respondent's reporting of the adjudications occurred after Petitioner discovered them and prompted Respondent to explain.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that Petitioner enter a final order declaring Respondent has been found guilty of violating Subsection 475.25(1)(m), Florida Statutes (2004), and Florida Administrative Code Rule 61J2-2.027(2), and, therefore, Subsection 475.25(1)(c), Florida Statutes, as charged in the Administrative Complaint, and suspending Respondent's license until June 30, 2005, and requiring that Respondent pay a $1,000 fine. DONE AND ENTERED this 1st day of June, 2005, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S WILLIAM R. PFEIFFER Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 1st day of June, 2005. COPIES FURNISHED: James P. Harwood, Esquire Department of Business and Professional Regulation Hurston Building North Tower Suite 801N 400 West Robinson Street Orlando, Florida 32801 Michael G. Nichola, Esquire 800 North Ferncreek Avenue Orlando, Florida 32803 Leon Biegalski, General Counsel Department of Business and Professional Regulation Northwood Centre 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2202 Juana Watkins, Acting Director Division of Real Estate Department of Business and Professional Regulation 400 West Robinson Street, Suite 802, North Orlando, Florida 32801
The Issue Whether the Respondent, State of Florida, Department of Business Regulation, Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, was correct in its denial of the Petitioner's application and request to transfer a Series 4-COP beverage license for the premises, Paradise Inn.
Findings Of Fact The facts reveal that sometime in December, 1978, the Petitioner, James Sylvester Cooper, determined to apply for the transfer of a Series 4-COP beverage license which originally had been issued to the Petitioner's since deceased father. The license was issued by the Respondent, State of Florida, Department of Business Regulation, Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. The license which had been held by Mr. Cooper's father was for the premises known as Paradise Inn, Madison Heights, 518 Alabama Street, Daytona Beach, Florida. In pursuit of the request for transfer, the Petitioner completed a personal questionnaire form which was given to him by the Respondent, and may be found as the Respondent's Composite Exhibit No. 2 admitted into evidence. In actuality, a form was completed for this license transfer and the transfer of a license in a companion application, D.O.A.H. Case No. 79-532. The Petitioner also completed a fingerprint card by affixing his fingerprints to that document, and the document may be found as the Respondent's Exhibit No. 1 admitted into evidence. The fingerprint card was submitted in December, 1978. The questionnaire was completed on January 3, 1979. Both items were filed with the Respondent in its office located in Daytona Beach, Florida. When the Petitioner completed the questionnaire form, his initial response to question No. 6 was, "No". The thrust of the question No. 6 was to ask the applicant if he had been arrested for the violation of any other laws of the State of Florida not enumerated in questions Nos. 1 through 5 of the first page of the questionnaire or arrested for the violation of laws of other states or the United States, excluding minor traffic violations and instructed that if the answer was, "Yes," that details be provided concerning the nature of the events surrounding the arrest. When the questionnaire which was submitted on January 3, 1979, was reviewed by employees of the respondent, it was noted that the answer to question No. 6 was in the negative, notwithstanding the fact that the Respondent had received information from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement that possible charges for carrying a concealed firearm in Daytona Beach, Florida, and for issuing a check for which insufficient funds were available to honor the check, which latter charge purportedly was brought in Duval County, Florida. Officer Blanton, the employee of the Respondent who made this discovery, tried to contact the Petitioner in person and was unsuccessful. Later, Officer Blanton was able to contact Mr. Cooper by telephone and to request that the Petitioner come in to discuss the answer to question No. 6. Cooper agreed and came to the office of the Respondent in Daytona Beach on January 8, 1979. At the meeting on January 8, 1979, when confronted with his answer to question No. 6, the Petitioner responded that he did not understand that question to mean that you had to indicate all arrests. The Petitioner said he understood the question to mean that only convictions should be reported. Once the Petitioner had teen specifically advised by the Respondent's employee that the form, as it suggested, required an applicant to indicate arrests, he admitted that he had been arrested by the Daytona Beach, Florida, Police Department for carrying a concealed firearm, and stated further that the adjudication of quilt in that matter had been withheld. Cooper said that he would verify this disposition of the case and report back to the Respondent to establish the fact of the disposition by providing the Respondent with an official record. At the meeting referred to above which was held on January 8, 1979, between Officer Blanton and the Petitioner, Mr. Cooper denied any arrest having occurred in Duval County, Florida, relating to a worthless check. The Petitioner left the office of the Respondent, to shortly return with his attorney, Mr. Moore, and a further conversation was held on January 8, 1979, pertaining to the Petitioner's arrest record. A discussion was held concerning the carrying of a concealed firearm case in Daytona Beach, Florida, and the Duval County, Florida, worthless check allegations. Again, the Petitioner admitted being arrested for carrying a concealed firearm, but denied any involverent in a worthless check charge in Duval County, Florida. In view of this further denial of a knowledge of a Duval County, Florida, charge, Officer Blanton indicated that he would check into the matter further. After the second meeting between the Respondent's employee and the Petitioner, and on the same day, January 8, 1979, the employee of the Respondent discovered another allegation of an arrest which had taken place in Daytona Beach, Florida, for the offenses of loitering and prowling. On January 10, 1979, the Petitioner reported back to the office of the Respondent in Daytona Beach, Florida, and amended his application form by striking in the column the word, "No" and writing in the column the word, "Yes" and indicating that the carrying a concealed firearm complaint had taken place in 1974. In support of his position he produced documents that showed that the disposition of that case had been: withhold adjudication of quilt and place the Petitioner on two years unsupervised probation. When questioned about the loitering and prowling arrest, the Petitioner initially denied that arrest, but later indicated that he thought it was vagrancy. Subsequent to that discussion, he indicated on the application form that a loitering charge had occurred in June, 1976, for which he had paid a $35.00 fine. In the meeting on January 10, 1979, when the employee of the Respondent interrogated Petitioner further about any incidents in Duval County, Florida, involving a worthless check, the Petitioner again replied that he had no connection with such a charge. On January 11, 1979, the Respondent, in its Daytona Beach office, received a reply to its inquiry about the Duval County, Florida, case for a worthless check. That response may be found as Respondent's Composite Exhibit No. 4 which is a transmittal sheet and an arrest and booking report. The arrest and booking report shows that the Petitioner, James Sylvester Cooper, had been arrested in May of 1975 in connection with a check charge. Officer Blanton then contacted Mr. Cooper and indicated that the Respondent would need to know the disposition of the Duval County, Florida, charge, to which Cooper replied that be would go to Jacksonville and take care of the matter by bringing back a disposition of the case. Later in the month, Mr. Moore, the Petitioner's attorney, spoke with Officer Blanton and asked for the case number of the Duval County, Florida, allegation against the Petitioner. Mr. Moore was given the information and stated he would discover the nature of the allegation in Duval County and contact the Respondent when he had ascertained the facts of those charges and had attended them. On January 31, 1979, Officer Blanton saw that the application for the license was submitted through channels to the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, in Tallahassee, Florida. The application was reviewed in view of the answer to question No. 6 as amended, on January 10, 1979, which answer reflected the carrying of a concealed firearm charge and the loitering charge in Daytona Beach, but did not reflect the worthless check charge in Duval County, Florida. Acting in view of this information, the Director issued a letter on February 7, 1979, indicating his intent to deny the application for transfer of the license. In that letter the operative provisions of the statement of denial were couched in this language: The applicant's failure to truthfully answer questions concerning his qualifications and his criminal history record are indicative of a lack of good moral character. Subsequently, in keeping with his representations, the Petitioner's attorney went to Jacksonville and discovered that there was outstanding a case against the Respondent for failure to appear in connection with a worthless chock charge, and this allegation was pursuant to Section 300.405, Florida Statutes. A disposition of the case was achieved on March 8, 1979. A copy of the disposition may be found in the Respondent's Exhibit No. 3 admitted into evidence. In the course of the hearing in this cause, the Petitioner testified about the matter in Duval County, Florida, which dates from May, 1975. Petitioner's explanation was that he had some occasional contact in Duval County, Florida, in 1974 and 1975 and that while living there he mistakenly assumed that his roommate would pay the landlord, which did not occur, and led to some type of claim by the landlord. The Petitioner stated that although he does not recall a summons being served on him, he does recall that his roommate contacted him to tell him about an outstanding worthless check, for which he went voluntarily to the Judge's Chambers, then reported to be fingerprinted in the jail area and reported back to the Judge's Chambers and paid off the check through the Judge's secretary. In fact, the Petitioner had been arrested in Duval County, Florida, in the year 1975, in connection with a worthless check claim and the facts of this case indicate that he had a knowledge of that case when he answered question No. 6 in the submitted questionnaire on January 3, 1979, as amended on January 10, 1979. This is borne out by the facts which were revealed in the process of checking on the arrest allegation through the office of the Respondent and the answers that the Petitioner gave to the representative of the Respondent, and by the Petitioner's admission in the course of the hearing that he had been fingerprinted and taken to court in connection with a worthless check charge and by his grudging recognition in the course of the hearing that the events and charges complained about in the Respondent's Exhibit No. 3; i.e., the arresting and booking report and attendant disposition of the case, were matters which took place in Duval County, Florida, and matters that pertained to him. Likewise, the Petitioner only admitted the loitering arrest and conviction after being confronted for a third time, the first time being in filling out the form which was handed in on January 3, 1979; the second occasion of January 8, 1979, when he was told that the questionnaire, just as it said, required that all arrests be reported; the third instance, January 10, 1979, by direct questioning concerning the offense in which he initially denied the loitering arrest. Finally, the Petitioner in his initial completion of the questionnaire, even though the questionnaire clearly said to report arrests, did not do so until told to do so specifically on January 8, 1979, and then he only reported the arrest for carrying a concealed firearm. In reading the basis of the denial of the license, which has been set out above, it could be read to address the issue of the answers which the Petitioner gave in the application questionnaire on the basis that those answers were not truthful and the additional allegation that the Petitioner's criminal history record both show a lack of good moral character as described in Section 561.15, Florida Statutes; however, in the course of the hearing, the Respondent's counsel asserted that the true basis of denying the license application was related solely to whether the answers which the Petitioner gave on the questionnaire were truthful concerning the subject of his criminal history record, and that the denial was not related to any criminal history per se. Therefore, this Recommended Order is rendered in keeping with the Respondent's counsel's representation and the Petitioner conducted his case to comport with that limitation. Having established the nature of the statement of denial the question becomes one of whether the answers to question No. 6 on the personal questionnaire are of such a caliber that they demonstrated a lack of good moral character on the part of the Petitioner to the extent that he is not entitled to be the recipient of the beverage license that he has applied for. Subsection 561.15(1), Florida Statutes, states: 561.15 Licenses; qualifications required.-- (1) Licenses shall be issued only to persons of good moral character, who are not less than 18 years of age. Licenses to corporations shall be issued only to corporations whose officers are of good moral character and not less than 18 years of age. There shall be no exemptions from the license taxes herein provided to any person, association of persons or corporation, any law to the contrary notwithstanding. When considered in view of that standard, the facts in this case demonstrate that the Petitioner does not show the requisite good moral character expected of a person licensed by the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. The Petitioner's response to question No. 6, a legitimate inquiry made to him by the Respondent, ranged from equivocation to undeniable misstatements of the facts known to him and by these actions the Petitioner has shown himself to be a person not to be entrusted with a beverage license. The Petitioner, the record will show, has had some experience as a law enforcement officer and for this reason, his counsel contended that the Petitioner would not be so bold as to erroneously answer the questionnaire, knowing that the fingerprint identification card would be the vehicle by which a successful records check could be conducted and the arrests discovered. The tone of the testimony in this case as concluded puts that theory to rest. There is, however, another view which can be asserted on the question of the significance of the Petitioner's police experience. That view is that the Petitioner indeed knew the difference between what it meant to be convicted of an offense as contrasted with being arrested, and even with this knowledge selected the course of conduct which he pursued in answering question No. 6 on the application form. Finally, it was shown in the course of the hearing that the Petitioner had lived at certain residences in Duval County, Florida, which residence addresses are not reflected in the answers to the questionnaire and had held employment with an organization known as General Wholesale, which statement of employment is not reflected in the answers to the questionnaire. These items were first revealed at the hearing. These facts were made known subsequent to the Director's letter denying the application which was dated February 7, 1979, and for that reason they did not constitute the basis for denying the application and have not been relied upon by the Hearing Officer in reaching the factual conclusions, conclusions of law and recommendation in this matter.
Recommendation It is recommended that the Petitioner's application for transfer of the Series 4 COP beverage license connected with the premises, Paradise Inn, be DENIED. DONE AND ORDERED this 29th day of June, 1979, in Tallahassee, Florida. CHARLES C. ADAMS Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings Room 101, Collins Building Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 29th day of June, 1979. COPIES FURNISHED: Reginald E. Moore, Esquire 724 Second Avenue Post Office Box 1848 Daytona Beach, Florida 32015 Francis Bayley, Esquire Department of Business Regulation 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301
The Issue Whether the Petitioner, Juan Ramon Leal, is entitled to be licensed as resident legal expense sales representative.
Findings Of Fact At all times material to the allegations of this case, the Respondent is the state agency charged with the responsibility of regulating persons seeking licenses to become resident legal expense sales representatives. As such the Respondent appropriately received and considered the application for licensure submitted by the Petitioner on or about April 3, 2002. On June 27, 2002, the Respondent issued its decision regarding the Petitioner's application for licensure. Such decision denied Petitioner's request based upon his criminal history and the short amount of time that had elapsed between the alleged criminal activity and the application for licensure. On July 6, 2000, when he was 20 years of age, the Petitioner was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, unauthorized possession of a driver's license, and carrying a concealed weapon. As to the controlled substance charge, at the time of the arrest, the Petitioner was delivering to an individual, who was a confidential informant for the police, 400 tablets of a drug commonly known as ecstasy. The Petitioner knew that the package contained an illegal substance and that he was committing an illegal act. As to the charge of possessing an unauthorized driver's license, the Petitioner held fake identification so that when carded at dance clubs he could enter with his older girlfriend. There is no evidence that the fake license was used for any other purpose. As to the charge of possession of a concealed weapon, the Petitioner was arrested and his vehicle was thoroughly searched. The "concealed weapon" was a hunting knife under the seat or in the crack of the seats. The knife was not presented in the course of any of the activities cited by the police. In fact, the arresting officer described the Petitioner as "sincerely remorseful" and "cooperative." Subsequent to his arrest the Petitioner attempted to assist the police but proved unsuccessful. On May 10, 2001, the Petitioner pled nolo contendere to the possession charges. As he had no prior criminal record, adjudication of guilt was withheld and he was placed on probation. The Petitioner successfully completed all requirements of his probation. Thereafter, on March 14, 2002, the probation was terminated. On April 3, 2002, within the month of his probation being completed, Petitioner applied for the license at issue in this proceeding. Because the Department denied the license, the Petitioner sought the instant administrative review of the denial and sought relief from the criminal court having jurisdiction over his probation and record. To that end, Petitioner obtained an Order to Seal his criminal records. This order was entered on August 15, 2002. Had the Petitioner waited until after that date to apply for licensure, the pertinent criminal records would have been under seal and therefore unavailable for review. It is the Department's position that the Petitioner lacks fitness and trustworthiness to hold the license based upon the nature of the criminal activity and the recentness in time to the application for licensure. The Petitioner's employer, Nicolo Bonanno, testified that the Petitioner is a trustworthy employee, that he has had business dealings with the Petitioner for approximately 3 years, and that he has no hesitation in supporting his licensure. Mr. Bonanno is himself a licensee through the Department. The arresting officer expressed complimentary statements regarding the Petitioner including his demeanor during and subsequent to the arrest.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Department of Insurance enter a final order granting the license sought by the Petitioner. DONE AND ENTERED this 23rd day of January, 2003, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. ___________________________________ J. D. PARRISH Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 23rd day of January, 2003 COPIES FURNISHED: Honorable Tom Gallagher Chief Financial Officer Department of Financial Services The Capitol, Plaza Level 11 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0300 Mark Casteel, General Counsel Department of Financial Services The Capitol, Plaza Level 11 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0300 Eugene J. LaNeve, Esquire 717 Ponce de Leon Boulevard Suite 215 Coral Gables, Florida 33134 Ladasiah Jackson, Esquire Department of Financial Services 200 East Gaines Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0333
The Issue The issue is whether the Respondent has failed to maintain good moral character.
Findings Of Fact The Respondent was certified by the Criminal Justice Standards Training Commission as a correctional officer on March 21, 1985, and issued Certificate No. 04-85-599-01. At the time of the events which form the basis for the Administrative Complaint, the Respondent was employed as a correctional officer at the Marion Correctional Institution, a correctional facility of the State Department of Corrections. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies, David F. Faircloth, Jr. and Art King, are veteran law enforcement officers who have received training in the detection and recognition of controlled substances, to include marijuana. Both officers have made numerous arrests for the possession of a controlled substance which they suspected was marijuana and which, upon being tested, proved to be marijuana On June 9, 1990, while on regular patrol in Marion County, Florida, Deputy David F. Faircloth, Jr. was directed to investigate an anonymous report of a male and female who had been observed fighting in a white Camaro automobile parked on U.S. Highway 27. While in that vicinity in response to that request, Officer Faircloth responded to a complaint of a disturbance at 1261 N.W. 56th Court, Ocala, Florida. When Deputy Faircloth arrived on the scene, he noticed a white, two-door Camaro. Deputy Faircloth determined upon investigation that the Respondent and Linda Altman, who lived at the address, had engaged in an altercation involving their respective vehicles which were both damaged and parked in the front yard. Both the Respondent and Ms. Altman had been drinking and both were upset. Deputy King was dispatched as a backup and arrived at the Altman residence. Upon his arrival, Deputy King was briefed by Deputy Faircloth, who advised him that both the Respondent and Ms. Altman had been drinking, both were angry with one another, both had engaged in some altercation involving their vehicles which had caused damage to both vehicles, and both were correctional officers. Pursuant to their standard operating procedure, the deputies separated and interviewed separately the Respondent and Ms. Altman. Deputy King talked to the Respondent and Deputy Faircloth talked to Ms. Altman. Deputies Faircloth and King determined that the white Camaro parked at the location belonged to the Respondent. Deputy King stated that he intended to permit the Respondent to leave the scene; however, he was concerned that the Respondent, being a corrections officer, might have a weapon in his vehicle and return to cause more trouble. This testimony is logically inconsistent because if the Respondent had a gun and was released, he could retrieve the gun and return. However, it was on this basis Deputy King asked the Respondent if he could search his vehicle. The Respondent consented to the search of his vehicle by Deputy King. Officer King began his search of the vehicle in the front driver's seat. As Deputy King was leaning into the vehicle, conducting his search, the Respondent leaned over his back into the rear of the automobile and removed a shaving kit from the back seat. The Respondent's unanticipated action startled deputy King, who turned and inquired of the Respondent what he was doing. The Respondent, through words and gestures, indicated to Deputy King that he did not want him to search the shaving kit. The Respondent told Deputy King that there were no guns in the kit; but when Deputy King persisted in being permitted to search the kit, the Respondent indicated that he would open the kit and show Deputy King its contents. When the Respondent unzipped and opened the kit, Deputy King observed at the top of the kit a plastic bag containing dried vegetable matter which Deputy King thought to be marijuana. Deputy King seized as contraband the contents of the plastic bag, and upon administration of a field test for controlled substances, he determined that the substance was marijuana. Deputy King arrested the Respondent, and conducted a search of the Respondent's vehicle where he found a portion of a partially-smoked marijuana cigarette and a device which appeared to be some type of smoking device. The bag of marijuana which Deputy King seized from the Respondent's shaving kit was sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement crime laboratory for analysis. The crime laboratory concluded that the plastic bag contained 4.7 grams of cannabis or marijuana. One cannot determine from the report whether the burnt cigarette was tested and determined to be marijuana. Although Deputy King filed charges against the Respondent, the charges were later dismissed by the prosecutor for reasons unknown to Deputies King and Faircloth.
Findings Of Fact The Petitioner, Francisco Palafox, Jr., made applications for licensure as an unarmed guard and an armed guard. In both applications he answered that he had never been arrested. The Petitioner's fingerprints were checked by the Respondent Division through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and a record of arrest in San Francisco, California, was revealed for Frank Madrano Palafox, Social Security #560-96-6038, born January 14, 1953, in Arizona. Correspondence with the authorities resulted in receipt of records from San Francisco, California (Exhibit 1), which reveal that Frank Madrano Palafox was arrested and charged on August 21, 1973, with possession of a prohibited weapon, but later the charge was dropped to prohibited loitering while carrying a concealed weapon, a misdemeanor. Palafox's occupation on these records is given as Army. The Petitioner produced his military records of discharge (DD 214), on which Petitioner's name, birth date, social security number and birth place were the same as that on the FBI report. Petitioner said that at the time of his arrest he had loaned his identification to another soldier. However, his DD 214 show that he was on leave at the time the arrest occurred, and that he was charged for excessive unearned military leave for the same number of days the arrest record shows that Palafox was jailed. The Petitioner then remembered he was arrested for "aiding and abetting prostitution." The Petitioner did not report the arrest for aiding and abetting on his application.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, the Hearing Officer recommends that the Petitioner's applications for licensure as an unarmed guard and an armed guard be denied. DONE and ORDERED this 9th day of January, 1980, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. STEPHEN F. DEAN, Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings Room 101, Collins Building Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 COPIES FURNISHED: W. J. Gladwin, Jr., Esquire Assistant General Counsel Department of State The Capitol Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Mr. Francisco Palafox, Jr. 1551 Michigan Avenue, Apt. 12A Miami Beach, Florida 33139
The Issue An Administrative Complaint dated January 22, 1998, alleges that Respondent violated Section 475.25(1)(m), Florida Statutes, by failing to disclose on his licensure application that on August 9, 1993, he had pled nolo contendere to passing a worthless check. The issue for resolution is whether that violation occurred and, if so, what discipline is appropriate.
Findings Of Fact Since approximately July 1, 1996, and at all times relevant, Respondent Donald J. Berry has been licensed as a real estate salesperson pursuant to Chapter 475, Florida Statute. He was born in England on April 4, 1966. The application for licensure which Mr. Berry submitted to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Division of Real Estate, and which he signed and acknowledged on April 18, 1996, includes these pertinent parts: 9. Have you ever been convicted of a crime, found guilty, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere (no contest), even if adjudication was withheld? This question applies to any violation of the laws of any municipality, county, state or nation, including traffic offenses (but not parking, speeding, inspection, or traffic signal violations), without regard to whether you were placed on probation, had adjudication withheld, paroled, or pardoned. If you intend to answer "NO" because you believe those records have been expunged or sealed by court order pursuant to Section 943.058, Florida Statutes, or applicable law of another state, you are responsible for verifying the expungement or sealing prior to answering "NO." If you answered "Yes," attach the details including dates and outcome, including a sentence and conditions imposed, in full on a separate sheet of paper. Your answer to this question will be checked against local, state and federal records. Failure to answer this question accurately could cause denial of licensure. If you do not fully understand this question, consult with an attorney or the Division of Real Estate. . . . AFFIDAVIT OF APPLICANT The above named, and undersigned, applicant for licensure as a real estate salesperson under the provisions of Chapter 475, Florida Statutes, as amended, upon being duly sworn, deposes and says that (s) (he) is the person so applying, that (s) (he) has carefully read the application, answers, and the attached statements, if any, and that all succeeding answers and statements are true and correct, and are as complete as his/her knowledge, information and record of permit, without any evasions or mental reservations whatsoever; that (s)(he) knows of no reason why this application should be denied; and (s)(he) further extends this affidavit to cover all amendments to this application or further statements to the Division or its representatives by him/her in response to inquiries concerning his/her qualifications. (Petitioner's Exhibit No. 1.) Before he completed and signed the application, Mr. Berry called the Division of Real Estate and told them that the documentation he had was an arrest report. He understood from the staff-person's response that he could write information on the application and enclose what he had. He then checked "yes" in response to question no. 9, and wrote on the application form, "Driving with a suspended driving license." He also, so he thought, enclosed a copy of the arrest warrant from when he was stopped for traffic charges and was found to have an outstanding capias for "obtaining property for worthless check." Sometime later after he submitted his application, someone from the Division of Real Estate called to tell him that he needed the disposition report on the charges. He contacted the clerk of court's office and a staff-person from there called the Division of Real Estate. The Division then obtained records from the Orange County Court that Mr. Berry had pled "no contest" to the worthless check charge and was fined $115, with adjudication withheld. Later, Mr. Berry was told by an investigator from the Division of Real Estate that there was no record that an arrest report had been attached to his application. The only testimony in this proceeding was from Mr. Berry. He explained that he had tried, in good faith, to respond accurately to question no. 9. He did not have any documentation on the arrest for driving with a suspended license and had only a copy of his arrest report for the 1993 worthless check charge. He thought he included the information being sought and was not trying to hide anything. As he explained, he knew the agency had his social security number and could check up on him. He did not write anything about the worthless check on his application form because he had the separate paper (the arrest report) describing that charge.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing, it is hereby RECOMMENDED: That the agency enter its final order dismissing the Administrative Complaint. DONE AND ENTERED this 8th day of October, 1998, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. MARY CLARK Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 8th day of October, 1998. COPIES FURNISHED: Ghunise Coaxum, Esquire Department of Business and Professional Regulation Division of Real Estate Suite N 308 Hurston Building, North Tower 400 West Robinson Street Post Office Box 1900 Orlando, Florida 32801-1772 Donald J. Berry, pro se 2901 Dickens Circle Kissimmee, Florida 34747 Lynda L. Goodgame, General counsel Office of the General Counsel Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792 Henry M. Solares, Director Division of Real Estate Department of Business and Professional Regulation Post Office Box 1900 Orlando, Florida 32802-1900
The Issue Whether Respondent should take final action to deny Petitioner's application for a real estate sales associate license on the grounds set forth in Respondent's Notice of Intent to Deny.
Findings Of Fact The "Key for License Denials," attached hereto as Exhibit "A," is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference as the Key to the Commission's Findings of Fact in this case. Pursuant to the Key for License Denials, the Commission finds the following facts in this case, to wit: 2,4,5
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is hereby RECOMMENDED that the Florida Real Estate Commission issue a Final Order announcing its intention to continue to process Petitioner's application for licensure as a real estate sales associate rather than denying the application on the grounds stated in its December 28, 2011, Notice of Intent to Deny. DONE AND ENTERED this 12th day of April, 2012, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S STUART M. LERNER Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 12th day of April, 2012.
The Issue Whether Petitioner’s application for an exemption from disqualification from employment in a position of trust, pursuant to sections 408.809 and 435.07, Florida Statutes,1/ should be granted.
Findings Of Fact Respondent is authorized to conduct certain background screenings for employees providing specific types of services within health care facilities licensed under chapters 400, 408, and 429, Florida Statutes. § 408.809, Fla. Stat. Petitioner seeks employment in a position providing direct services to residents of a health care facility licensed under chapter 429 and, as such, is required to participate in Respondent’s background screening process pursuant to section 408.809. Petitioner submitted to the required background screening, which revealed that in 1999, Petitioner pleaded guilty to Felony Grand Theft/Bank Fraud in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Panama City Division, Case No. 5:99CR165PM. This conviction is akin to a felony grand theft conviction under chapter 812, Florida Statutes. The above-referenced criminal conviction makes Petitioner ineligible to provide a service in a health care facility licensed by Respondent unless Petitioner receives an exemption from Respondent, pursuant to section 435.07. Petitioner was also arrested in 2001 for Felony Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. On that charge, Petitioner pled guilty to a lesser included charge of simple assault, in Leon County Circuit Court, Case No. 01-1020AM. In addition, Petitioner was arrested in 2009 for felony charges of larceny/grand theft and exploitation of the elderly, charges which were ultimately dismissed due to the alleged victim’s death. Petitioner submitted an application for exemption to Respondent in accordance with sections 408.809 and 435.07 on or about April 30, 2014, and attended a telephonic hearing conducted by Respondent on June 17, 2014. The results of the June 17, 2014, teleconference are not at issue in this proceeding. Petitioner submitted another application for exemption to Respondent in accordance with section 435.07 on or about September 29, 2014. A telephonic hearing was conducted by Respondent on that second application for exemption on December 9, 2014, during which Respondent and Petitioner agreed to utilize the information obtained in the June 17, 2014, hearing regarding the 1999 Grand Theft/Bank Fraud and the 2001 Assault convictions, and to only discuss the circumstances surrounding the 2009 allegations of Grand Theft and Exploitation of the Elderly. A panel consisting of Respondent’s Operations and Consulting Manager for the Background Screening Unit, Sherry Ledbetter, and Respondent’s Health and Facilities Consultants, Kelley Goff and Zack Masters, also attended the telephonic hearing. Exhibit A-1, Respondent’s file for Petitioner’s exemption request, contains the exemption denial letter; internal Agency notes; panel hearing notes from both the June 17, 2014, and the December 9, 2014, teleconferences; Petitioner’s criminal history; Petitioner’s exemption application; arrest affidavits; conviction records; probation records; court records; and several letters in support of Petitioner’s requested exemption. Exhibits A-2 and A-3 are audio recordings of Petitioner’s teleconferences from her exemption hearings from June 17, 2014, and December 9, 2014. After the telephonic hearing, Respondent denied Petitioner’s request for an exemption, and Petitioner requested an administrative hearing. At the administrative hearing, Sherry Ledbetter testified that Respondent considered Petitioner’s entire case file, including all submissions received from Petitioner, and her explanations during the teleconferences when it determined that Petitioner’s request for an exemption should be denied. Respondent is legally authorized to consider all subsequent arrests or convictions, even if those arrests or convictions are not disqualifying offenses. Respondent considered Petitioner’s subsequent arrests and convictions during the review of Petitioner’s application for exemption. Respondent also considered the circumstances surrounding Petitioner’s most recent arrest, 2009 Grand Theft and Exploitation of the Elderly, even though the charges were dismissed. Petitioner admitted during the December 9, 2014, teleconference that the alleged victim made payments toward Petitioner’s bills while Petitioner was employed as her caregiver. Petitioner did not see any ethical issues with taking payments from a patient for whom she is caring, when she was already being paid by her employer for the services she rendered. Respondent explained, and it is found, that Petitioner did not appear to be totally candid and honest in her responses to the panel’s questions during the teleconferences and did not take responsibility for any of the criminal offenses. Although Respondent allows exemption applicants to have people speak on the applicants’ behalf at the teleconferences, Petitioner did not choose to have anyone speak on her behalf. Respondent considers any training, education, or certificates that an exemption applicant submits, but Petitioner did not have any such submissions, aside from Petitioner’s statement that she attended a budget class after her 1999 conviction. Based on Petitioner’s entire file and her responses during the teleconferences, Respondent determined that Petitioner did not satisfy her burden of proof by clear and convincing evidence of demonstrating rehabilitation from her disqualifying offense. Respondent maintains that Petitioner still poses a risk to the vulnerable population she would serve if employed at another health care facility. At the final hearing, Petitioner presented the testimony of Mutaqee Akbar, her criminal defense attorney for her 2009 charges of Grand Theft and Exploitation of the Elderly, who testified that the 2009 charges against Petitioner were dismissed by the prosecutor. On cross examination, Mr. Akbar admitted that the prosecutor cited the death of the alleged victim as the reason for the case’s dismissal. Mr. Akbar also admitted that law enforcement records reflect that the alleged victim made a statement to law enforcement prior to her death that she did not give her consent for the payments made toward Petitioner’s bills. In her testimony at the final hearing, Petitioner discussed how she is a changed person and has overcome a great deal of adversity to get to where she is now. Petitioner is presently involved in her community, specifically with her church and children’s schools, and takes care of her goddaughter and four children. Petitioner has a daughter who attends community college and Petitioner has been striving to set a good example for her daughter. Petitioner’s daughter, Sierra Thomas, who is in community college, gave credible testimony that she always favored her mother and did not believe the 2009 allegations against her mother. One of Petitioner’s good friends, Sheria Hackett, testified that Petitioner is a good person and deserves to be granted the exemption. Petitioner’s Exhibit P-1 is a composite exhibit consisting of additional information relating to Petitioner’s criminal cases and a letter from her probation officer. Petitioner’s Exhibit P-2 consists of a letter from Respondent dated May 22, 2014, requesting additional information from Petitioner during the exemption application process. Petitioner’s Exhibit P-3 consists of Petitioner’s petition for formal hearing. Although Petitioner appeared remorseful for her criminal convictions, considering all of the facts, circumstances, and evidence presented to AHCA and at the final hearing, it cannot be said that she proved by clear and convincing evidence that she is rehabilitated and should not be disqualified from employment. Moreover, AHCA’s intended action of denying Petitioner’s request for exemption was not an abuse of discretion. Therefore, Petitioner failed to meet her burden of showing that she is entitled to the exemption she seeks from Respondent.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is recommended that Respondent enter a final order denying Petitioner’s request for an exemption from disqualification for employment. DONE AND ENTERED this 8th day of July, 2015, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S JAMES H. PETERSON, III Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The Desoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida32399-3060 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 8th day of July, 2015.
