The Issue Whether Petitioner's Federal Income Tax refund should be intercepted by Respondent?
Findings Of Fact On August 17, 1984, the Circuit Court of the Fourth Judicial Circuit, in and for Duval County, Florida, entered an order finding Petitioner to be in arrears in child support payments in the amount of $6,400.49. As of July 21, 1988, Petitioner was in arrears in his child support payments in the amount of $6,954.52. Petitioner does not dispute that he is in arrears in his child support payments, but argues that Respondent should not take the entire refund, but should only take one-half.
Recommendation Therefore, based upon the foregoing, it is RECOMMENDED that Respondent issue a final order affirming the determination that Petitioner owes past-due support. DONE and ORDERED this 24th day of August, 1988, in Tallahassee, Florida. JOSE A. DIEZ-ARGUELLES Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 24th day of August, 1988. COPIES FURNISHED: Johnny E. Matthews 4435 Kenndle Road Jacksonville, Florida 32208 Warren J. Schulman, Esquire 331 East Union Street, Suite 1 Jacksonville, Florida 32202 Sam Power, Clerk Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 1323 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700 Gregory L. Coler, Secretary Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 1323 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700
Findings Of Fact Everett Stapleton held a winning ticket from the December 9, 1989, Florida Lotto drawing, and claimed his prize of $4,312.50 on December 12, 1989. The Office of the Comptroller searched the records of state agencies to determine whether Mr. Stapleton was indebted to the state, or owed child support which was being collected through a court. It determined that Mr. Stapleton owed $5,896 in child support, and therefore withheld paying the prize. By an Amended Final Judgment Dissolving Marriage dated November 29, 1983, Mr. Stapleton had been required to make child support payments of $50 per week through the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Dade County. During the hearing, the parties had conflicting payment records from the Clerk of the Circuit Court. After a recess, during which Mr. Stapleton and representatives of the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services consulted, they came to an agreement, which they announced when the hearing reconvened. The parties agreed that as of Friday, April 20, 1990, Mr. Stapleton owed $6,796 in back child support, under the Amended Final Judgment Dissolving Marriage dated November 29, 1983.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that a Final Order be entered by the Office of the Comptroller requiring the payment of the $4,312.50 to the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, to be applied to reduce Mr. Stapleton's current obligation for past due child support. DONE and ENTERED this 26th day of April, 1990, at Tallahassee, Florida. WILLIAM R. DORSEY, JR. 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 30th day of April, 1990. COPIES FURNISHED: Chriss Walker, Esquire Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 1317 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700 Louisa Warren, Esquire Department of the Lottery 205 Marriott Drive Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Jo Ann Levin, Esquire Office of the Comptroller Suite 1302, The Capitol Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0350 Everett Stapleton 17600 Northwest 27 Court Miami, Florida 33056 Honorable Gerald Lewis, Comptroller Department of Banking & Finance The Capitol Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0350 William G. Reeves, General Counsel Department of Banking & Finance The Capitol Plaza Level, Room 1302 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0350
The Issue Whether petitioner should receive a federal income tax refund HRS has intercepted and proposes to apply against petitioner's public assistance child support obligation, even though he has fully complied with the judgment establishing the obligation?
Findings Of Fact On May 16, 1984, HRS obtained a final judgment of paternity against Jimmie L. Henry, petitioner in these proceedings. Henrietta Payne and State of Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services vs. Jimmie Henry and Woodrow Grissett, No. 81-10950-CA (4th Cir.). The judgment declared Mr. Henry the father of Shea Bernard Anderson, established the "sum of $2656.00 ... as a public assistance child support obligation owed by Jimmie Henry to the State of Florida," ordered petitioner to pay $150 support payments for the child monthly, and ordered that "with each payment [the petitioner] shall make an additional payment of $25.00 per month until the [public assistance child support] obligation ... is paid in full." The public assistance child support obligation arose because of payments HRS made, before paternity was determined, for the benefit of Shea Bernard Anderson under the Aid for Dependent Children program, payments which were "IV-D services" provided by a "IV-D agency." Since entry of the final judgment of paternity, petitioner, who has since married and had other offspring, has made every payment required by the judgment, when required. As of September 11, 1988, his public assistance child support obligation had been reduced from $2,656.00 to $1,374.40. HRS has intercepted all of the federal income tax refund owed petitioner for calendar year 1987, which amounts to $664, and proposes to apply it against his public assistance child support obligation.
The Issue The issues for determination are: (1) whether Petitioner is delinquent in child support payments; (2) if yes, what is the amount of the delinquent child support; and (3) whether Respondent is authorized to levy Petitioner’s two bank accounts at the Bank of America and apply the funds to reduce or satisfy Petitioner’s outstanding arrearage for child support.
Findings Of Fact On April 11, 1996, a judicial hearing officer in the Circuit Court of the Ninth Judicial Circuit, in and for Orange County, Florida (Orange County Circuit Court), issued a Report and Recommendation of Hearing Officer on Paternity and/or Other Issues (Report). The Report found that Petitioner, Gary Walther (Petitioner), was the natural father of two minor children and recommended that he pay $200.00 per month for each child. The Report also recommended that the child support payments commence on May 5, 1996, and that they be made through the Clerk of the Circuit Court. On April 11, 1996, the Orange County Circuit Court issued an Income Deduction Order (Order) in State of Florida, Department of Revenue, on behalf of Theresa Walther v. Gary Walther, Case No. 86-1675. The Order directed any employer or any other person providing or administering income to Petitioner to deduct from such income $400.00 per month for periodic child support and to pay this amount to the Clerk of the Court. According to the Order, the $400.00 "reflects on-going child support of $200.00 per month, per child, for two minor children." On May 15, 2000, a judicial hearing officer issued a Report and Recommendation in Department of Revenue v. Gary Walther, Case No. 86-1675, in the Orange County Circuit Court. The Report and Recommendation abated Petitioner’s on-going child support payments as of April 24, 2000; found Petitioner $10,468.76 in arrears in child support as of April 24, 2000; and recommended that Petitioner pay an additional payment of $200.00 per month as payment on the arrears. These payments were to be made to the State of Florida, State Disbursement Unit, in Tallahassee, Florida. On May 15, 2000, the Orange County Circuit Court approved, confirmed and adopted as a Final Order the Report and Recommendation described and referred to in paragraph 3 above. On October 13, 1999, the Department sent a Notice to Freeze to the Bank of America in Richmond, Virginia. In the notice, which was sent by certified mail, the Department advised the Bank of America that Petitioner had a past due and/or overdue child-support obligation of $10,717.29 as of October 13, 1999. Moreover, the Department directed the bank not to transfer, dispose of, or return any credits, debts, or other personal property owned by or owed to Petitioner. On October 25, 1999, the Bank of America verified that it held two accounts identified as belonging to Petitioner. The funds in both accounts totaled $2,894.56. On October 15, 1999, the Department sent a Notice of Intent to Levy by certified mail to Petitioner. That notice provided in pertinent part the following: You are hereby notified that pursuant to Section 409.25656, Florida Statutes, the Department of Revenue intends to levy on credits, or personal property belonging to the obligor named above [Petitioner], or debts owed to the obligor. The property consists of liquid assets and is in the control of BANK OF AMERICA. This action is taken for nonpayment of child support by the obligor in the amount of $10,717.29 as of October 13, 1999. You are hereby notified that you may contest the agency’s action to levy on the above referenced property. You may do so by either filing an action in Circuit Court or by requesting an administrative hearing. If you wish to request an administrative hearing, you must file your petition for hearing, in writing, accordance with the Notice of Rights attached to this Notice. If you elect to file an action in Circuit Court, your complaint must be filed with the Clerk of Court within twenty-one (21) days of your receipt of this notice. . . . You may NOT request both an administrative hearing and a hearing in circuit court. Attached to the notice was a Notice of Rights form that detailed Petitioner's due process rights as provided for in Section 409.25656, Florida Statutes. The return receipt from the October 15, 1999, Notice of Intent addressed to Petitioner indicated that the Notice was delivered and received by someone at Petitioner’s address of record on or about October 20, 1999. On or about November 3, 1999, Petitioner filed a Petition for Formal Hearing (Petition), which requested a "formal hearing concerning the Notice of Intent to Levy" which he received October 19, 1999. The Petition listed Petitioner’s address as 234 Crabtree Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32835. On or about November 10, 1999, the Department issued and sent a Notice of Extension of Freeze to the Bank of America. The notice advised the bank that Petitioner had "filed an action in the circuit court or under Chapter 120, Florida Statutes, to contest the Department of Revenue’s intention to levy upon assets as specified in the Notice of Freeze." The Department further directed the Bank of America not to transfer, dispose, or return any credits, debts or other personal property owned/controlled by Petitioner and in the bank’s possession and control. Finally, the Notice of Extension of Freeze stated that the Notice remained effective "until final resolution of the circuit court or Chapter 120 action, and the Department issued a Notice of Levy or a Notice of Full or Partial Release of Freeze." On November 30, 2000, the Clerk of the Orange County Circuit Court prepared and issued an Arrearage Affidavit in Case No. 86-1675. The affidavit stated that the May 15, 2000, a Final Order issued by the court established that Petitioner's child support arrearage was $10,468.76. However, because of payments made by Petitioner, the affidavit noted that Petitioner's remaining established arrearage, as of the date of the affidavit, was $6,924.01. As of the date of the final hearing, Petitioner's outstanding arrearage for child support was $6,924.01. Notwithstanding his filing a Petition for Formal Hearing, Petitioner failed to appear at the hearing and no evidence was presented on his behalf.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is hereby RECOMMENDED that the Department of Revenue enter a final order that (1) levies the $2,894.56 in the Petitioner's two bank accounts at the Bank of America; (2) applies the funds to reduce Petitioner's accrued child support arrearage of $6,924.01; and (3) credits Petitioner for said payment. DONE AND ENTERED this 6th day of March, 2001, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. CAROLYN S. HOLIFIELD 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 6th day of March, 2001. COPIES FURNISHED: Albert Thorburn, Esquire Florida Department of Revenue Post Office Box 8030 4070 Esplanade Way Tallahassee, Florida 32314-8030 Gary Walther 5965 Spring Street Austell, Georgia 30168-4041 James Zingale, Executive Director Department of Revenue 5050 West Tennessee Street 104 Carlton Building Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0100 Linda Lettera, General Counsel Department of Revenue 204 Carlton Building Post Office Box 6668 Tallahassee, Florida 32314-6668
Findings Of Fact In 1968, Petitioner's marriage to Judith Marie Youmans was dissolved by the Circuit Court in Duval County, Jacksonville, Florida. One child, D. R. Y. was born of the marriage. Custody of D. R. Y. was given to Petitioner's ex- wife. However, except for a few months, D. R. Y. was in the actual custody of her father until she reached the age of majority in 1982. Petitioner's ex-wife never paid any child support to Respondent for his custody of D. R. Y. Petitioner never had the final divorce decree modified to reflect D. R. Y.'s custody arrangement or to seek an award of child support for his custody of D. R. Y. The Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services is not seeking child support enforcement in reference to D. R. Y. From 1968 until about 1977, Petitioner maintained an on again-off again relationship with his ex-wife. They never remarried. However, by 1977, Petitioner had fathered two children with his ex-wife, who are the subject of this action. C. D. Y., Jr., was born July 29, 1971, and M. S. Y. was born August 15, 1973. In 1977, Petitioner's ex-wife filed a paternity action against Petitioner alleging that the two boys were his children. Petitioner made an appearance in the paternity action and reached an agreement with his ex-wife regarding the paternity of the two boys and how much child support he would pay until they reached the age of majority. A final judgment incorporating the agreement between the parties was entered by the Circuit Court in Duval County, Jacksonville, Florida, on January 28, 1977. Petitioner states that he was never served with the 1977 paternity suit papers or the final judgment entered in the action. Petitioner testified that he was not aware that a final judgment had been entered awarding his ex-wife $15.00 per week per child until a few months before HRS became involved in the tax intercept under consideration here. However, Petitioner made two of the agreed to child support payments in February, 1977, after his attorney had advised him to do so. After the first two payments, Petitioner ceased making the $15.00 per child per week payments and has not made any child support payments to his ex-wife or to the Clerk's Office since February 4, 1977. Petitioner has, therefore, accumulated an alleged arrearage of child support for C. D. Y. and M. S. Y. in the amount of $16,35.00 through July 1987. Prior to HRS's involvement in the case in 1986, Petitioner's ex-wife neither asked for nor received any child support from Petitioner, except for the few payments made in 1977. She did not try to enforce the paternity settlement agreement until September 12, 1986, when she asked for HRS's help. Apparently, the reason she went to HRS was to attempt to collect the child support. She has not received any "public assistance" such as AFDC money from HRS and apparently is not asking for such aid. HRS has not obtained a court order finding Petitioner to be delinquent and no such order has been previously entered. Petitioner has, therefore, never been afforded an opportunity to raise his defenses to any alleged arrearage or non payment of support before the circuit court. Petitioner felt very strongly that he should not have to pay child support since his ex-wife did not perform her part of the agreement regarding her visitation. He testified that he attempted to visit the two boys on several occasions, but was usually frustrated in his attempts. The last time he attempted to visit the two boys was several years ago when he was met at the door by his ex-father-in-law who was pointing a shot gun at Petitioner and told him to leave. After the shot gun incident, Petitioner did not feel it to be in his best interest to attempt to see the boys anymore. Petitioner also maintained that he should not have to pay child support because she would not raise the boys correctly throughout the time period involved in this case. In essence, he left her because she would not give up certain drugs and he did not want to be living in such an environment nor did he want his boys to be living in such an environment. However, his ex-wife felt otherwise and didn't mind her children being raised around drugs. Petitioner felt that his ex-wife's involvement of HRS to collect child support was simply a tactic on her part to harass him and otherwise be mean. Petitioner also felt that he should have been paid child support for his custody of D. R. Y. who had refused to live with her mother. Petitioner felt that he should at least receive recognition of the fact that he did not receive any such support and be credited with the amount he should have been paid, i.e. $15.00 per week.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law it is RECOMMENDED: That the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services enter a Final Order in this case to the effect that the Department is not entitled to intercept Charles D. Youmans' federal tax refund unless and until Youmans is adjudicated delinquent by a circuit court in the periodic court ordered payment, and to the further effect that any federal tax refund which may already have been intercepted shall be returned to Youmans. DONE and ENTERED this 29th day of August, 1988, in Tallahassee, Florida. DIANE CLEAVINGER Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 29th day of August, 1988. APPENDIX TO RECOMMENDED ORDER, CASE NO. 88-2365 Petitioner's factual allegations contained in paragraph 1 of his letter are immaterial. Petitioner factual allegations contained in paragraph 2 are irrelevant. The factual allegation in the 1st sentence of paragraph 3 was not shown by the evidence. The rest of paragraph 3 is adopted. Paragraph 4, 5 and 7 are subordinate. Paragraph 6 is not shown by the evidence. Paragraph 8 discusses evidence not presented at the final hearing and is inadmissible. Paragraph 9 is irrelevant. COPIES FURNISHED: Charles D. Youmans, pro se Route 5, Box 44 Brunswick, Georgia 31520 Warren J. Schulman SCHULMAN, HOWARD & HEMPHILL, P.A. 331 East Union Street, Suite 1 Jacksonville, Florida 32202 Sam Power, HRS Clerk Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 1323 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700 Gregory L. Coler, Secretary Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 1323 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700 Tom Batchelor Staff Attorney House HRS Committee The Capitol Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1300 =================================================================
The Issue The issue is whether Petitioner properly issued a Stop-Work Order and Second Amended Penalty Assessment against Respondent for failing to obtain workers' compensation insurance that meets the requirements of chapter 440, Florida Statutes.
Findings Of Fact The Division is a component of the Department of Financial Services. It is responsible for enforcing the workers' compensation coverage requirements pursuant to section 440.107, Florida Statutes. Children's Academy is a corporation operating child care centers in Miami, Florida. Children's Academy was incorporated in 1994 and has been operating with an active status since its inception. Patrick Adeleke ("Adeleke") is the sole shareholder and president of Children's Academy. Children's Academy has seven locations. Each of the seven day care centers has its own state license and occupational license. On October 5, 2011, Petitioner's investigator, Cheryl Powell ("Powell"), visited the Children's Academy location at 151 Northwest 162 Street, Miami, Florida. At the business site, Petitioner's investigator spoke to Laquisha Lewis ("Lewis") regarding the business. Lewis provided Powell a business card during the meeting that contained the seven day care centers under Children's Academy. Subsequently, Powell visited the headquarters. Adeleke was not at the business site when Powell visited the Children's Academy headquarters. The headquarters had a marquee that indicated it was Children's Academy Preschool, Incorporated. It had children, playground equipment, and was the same colors: red, yellow, and blue as the original business site Powell had visited earlier. Powell returned to the original business site and input information about Children's Academy into the Department of Financial Services' Coverage and Compliance Automated System (CCAS). She found that Respondent lacked insurance for the payment of workers' compensation coverage. Powell discovered Children's Academy's last known coverage was canceled May 19, 2003. Additionally, Petitioner's investigator verified through the CCAS that no exemptions from workers' compensation had been issued in connection with Children's Academy. Eventually, Powell spoke to Adeleke by telephone. Adeleke informed Powell that he had 27 employees working for Children's Academy and that there was no workers' compensation insurance in place. Each of the 27 employees are employed by Children's Academy under one tax ID number. Two of the seven day care center locations (Children's Academy #1 and #3) have four or more employees and the other five day care center locations (Children's Academy #2, #4, #5, #6, and #7) have three or fewer employees. Upon confirmation that Respondent lacked workers' compensation coverage and that no exemptions were in effect, the Department issued Children's Academy a Stop-Work Order ("SWO") and served a Request of Business Records for Penalty Assessment Calculation to Children's Academy ("Request"). On October 7, 2011, Respondent obtained a certificate of insurance for workers' compensation coverage. Respondent also responded to the Request and provided the Department with some of the requested records. These business records included corporate tax returns, quarterly federal tax returns, quarterly state employer's tax returns and payroll journals. The records were forwarded to Anita Proana, Penalty Auditor for the Division for review. The records listed one employer, Children's Academy, for all the business records supplied for each of the seven day care centers. All 27 employees were being paid under one corporation, with one federal employer ID number for Children's Academy. Additionally, the amounts on the payroll journals for the 27 employees matched the amount claimed as wages on the federal tax returns for Children's Academy. After Proano reviewed the records provided, she properly calculated the worker's compensation amount Children's Academy owed in workers compensation insurance for the period of October 6, 2008, through October 5, 2011, and concluded that Respondent failed to pay workers' compensation premium of $22,111.20. After the premium was multiplied by the statutory factor of 1.5, it resulted in a penalty assessment in the amount of $33,167.75. The new calculation superseded the Amended Order and a Second Amended Order of Penalty Assessment was issued on or about July 27, 2012, reducing Respondent's penalty to $33,167.75. During the hearing, Respondent admitted not having workers' compensation coverage for his employees but contested Children's Academy being a single employer. Instead, Respondent contested that the five preschools that had three or fewer employees owed any premium because each preschool was exempt.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Department of Financial Services, Division of Workers' Compensation, issue a final order affirming the Stop-Work Order and Second Amended Order of Penalty Assessment in the amount of $33,167.75 minus the payments made to date. DONE AND ENTERED this 25th day of September, 2012, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S JUNE C. McKINNEY 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 25th day of September, 2012. COPIES FURNISHED: Alexander Brick, Esquire Department of Financial Services 200 East Gaines Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399 alexander.brick@myfloridacfo.com Layne Verebay, Esquire Law Office of Layne Verebay, P.A. Building B, Suite 104 7800 West Oakland Park Boulevard Sunrise, Florida 33351 lverebay@aol.com Julie Jones, CP, FRP, Agency Clerk Department of Financial Services Division of Legal Services 200 East Gaines Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Findings Of Fact The marriage of Ronald Yelvington and Marsha Yelvington was dissolved some time prior to this proceeding. The couple had four children. On December 3, 1982, Ronald Yelvington executed a stipulation to repay arrearages of court-ordered child support due to the State of Florida in the amount of $4,542.00. Repayment was to be made at the rate of $5.00 per week. The stipulation acknowledged the four children and acknowledged that they had received public assistance from November 1, 1978 until October 31, 1981. The Department joined in the stipulation. (Petitioner's Exhibit #2) On February 18, 1983, Circuit Judge E. L. Eastmore entered an order to repay debt and arrears, adopting the terms of the parties' stipulation. Payments were to be made to the Clerk of the Circuit Court and disbursed by the Clerk to the Department, as reimbursement for public assistance paid for the benefit of Yelvington's minor children. (Petitioner's Exhibit #2) Ronald Yelvington has paid regularly, by payroll deduction. As of May 18, 1988, his balance due on the arrearages account was $3,286.70, including an additional arrearage of $119.70. (Petitioner's Exhibit #1) Until this proceeding, Mr. Yelvington was unaware that he was accruing an additional arrearage. He attributes the arrearage to the fact that his company changed to a bimonthly pay period. His current spouse, Carol Yelvington, called HRS and Lew Merryday's office to let them know that the pay period was different. They told her they would let the Yelvingtons know if there was a problem. The next contact was the notice of IRS intercept. HRS has a policy of pursuing IRS intercept even when the party is paying regularly under a stipulation regarding an arrearage, if the funds are available in a tax refund. Linda Bailey, the child Support Enforcement Supervisor, does not know how much is available in Mr. Yelvington's tax refund. She concedes that the policy causes confusion and resentment in a party who is making regular payments. Ronald Yelvington agrees that he owes the arrearage, although he does not understand the basis for the additional $119.70, or why no one informed him that he was getting behind for insufficient payroll deductions. He believes that intercept might be a speedy resolution, but he distrusts the figures stated by HRS. His former and current spouses vehemently object to the intercept, as they feel that the money would otherwise go to them and their children. Neither argues that the refund is partly theirs by virtue of having filed a joint tax return as a wage earner. HRS does not maintain an accounting of payments made under the child support enforcement program. It relies instead on the accounting provided by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, as it is the Clerk's office that is responsible for receiving and disbursing the funds.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing, it is, hereby RECOMMENDED: That a Final Order be entered finding that the Department should notify the Secretary of Treasury as provided in Title 42, U.S. Code, Section 644(a)(1), that Ronald Yelvington owes past-due support in an amount to be established at the time the notice is provided. That is, the sum of $3,286.70, owed as of May 18, 1988, should be reduced by those amounts paid by Mr. Yelvington since that date. It is further recommended that Ronald Yelvington be provided a copy of the Clerk of Circuit Court accounting of his payments on the arrearage established by Judge Eastmore's February 18, 1983 Order. DONE and RECOMMENDED this 13th day of June, 1988, in Tallahassee, Florida. MARY CLARK Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 13th day of June, 1988. COPIES FURNISHED: Lew Merryday, Jr., Esquire 425 North Palm Avenue Palatka, Florida 32077 Ronald M. Yelvington 5417 Coyote Trail Orlando, Florida 32308 Sam Power, HRS Clerk Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 1323 Winewood Boulevard Building One, Suite 407 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700 Gregory L. Coler, Secretary Department of Health and Rehabilitative services 1323 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700 John Miller, Esquire Acting General Counsel Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 1323 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700 Ms. Marsha Yelvington Martin 5834 Windermere Drive Jacksonville, Florida 32211 Marsha Yelvington Post Office Box 608 Pierson, Florida 32080
Findings Of Fact On April 15, 1991, petitioner submitted a claim to the Department of the Lottery (Lottery) on a ticket he held for the Lotto drawing of April 13, 1991. Such ticket reflected that petitioner had correctly selected five of the six numbers drawn on that date, and rendered him eligible for a prize of $3,529.50. On May 10, 1991, the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (DHRS) certified to the Lottery that petitioner owed $10,374.81 in Title IV-D child support arrearage. Thereafter, by letter of May 15, 1991, the Lottery advised petitioner that DHRS had advised it of such outstanding debt and that, pursuant to Section 24.115(4), Florida Statutes, it had transmitted the prize amount to the Department of Banking and Finance (DBF). Petitioner was further advised that DBF would notify him shortly regarding the distribution of such funds. By letter of May 17, 1991, DBF notified petitioner that it was in receipt of his prize from the Lottery and that it intended to apply the entire $3,529.50 toward the unpaid claim owing for child support. Such letter likewise advised petitioner of his right to request a hearing to contest such action. By letter of June 3, 1991, petitioner acknowledged receipt of the DBF's letter of May 17, 1991, disputed that any such obligation was outstanding, and requested a formal hearing. At hearing, the proof demonstrated that on January 29, 1982, the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, Dade County, Florida, rendered an order approving a stipulation for payment of child support by petitioner for the support of his children. Such stipulation provided that petitioner would pay the sum of $200.00 per month toward an arrearage of $12,234.91, due as of December 20, 1981. The stipulation further provided that such payments would be made payable to the clerk of that court, which would deduct its fee, and forward the balance to DHRS for transmittal to the State of Ohio, the apparent residence of petitioner's former wife. DHRS, the agency designated by the Circuit Court to receive the child support payments deposited with the clerk of that court, and to transmit such sums to the State of Ohio, has certified that as of May 10, 1991, petitioner owed $10,374.81 in Title IV-D child support arrearage. On May 16, 1991, DHRS confirmed such arrearage with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Dade County, Florida, and reconfirmed such arrearage on August 25, 1991. Petitioner, the party responsible to make such payments, offered no proof at hearing to controvert such certification.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is recommended that the Department of Banking and Finance enter a final order dismissing the petitioner's request for formal hearing, and that it pay to the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services petitioner's lottery prize of $3,529.50, in partial satisfaction of petitioner's debt for child support. RECOMMENDED in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida, this 12th day of September 1991. WILLIAM J. KENDRICK 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 12th day of September 1991. COPIES FURNISHED: Mr. George Luther 10900 S.W. 134th Terrace Miami, Florida 33176 Bridget L. Ryan Assistant General Counsel Office of the Comptroller Suite 1302, The Capitol Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0350 Chriss Walker, Esquire Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 1317 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700 Louisa Warren Department of the Lottery 250 Marriott Drive Tallahassee, Florida 32399 The Honorable Gerald Lewis Comptroller, State of Florida The Capitol, Plaza Level Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0350 William G. Reeves General Counsel Department of Banking and Finance The Capitol Plaza Level, Room 1302 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0350
Findings Of Fact The following are the facts to which the parties have stipulated: On September 27, 1977, the Circuit Court for the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida entered an order dissolving the marriage of Petitioner and Debra LaRhea Reynolds and incorporated into that order a stipulation whereby Petitioner agreed to pay child support in the amount of $20.00 per week. On April 13, 1977, Debra LaRhea Reynolds assigned her rights to child support to the Respondent, Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. On June 25, 1982, the Circuit Court for the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida entered an order holding Petitioner in contempt for failure to pay accrued arrearages of child support in the amount of $4,280.00, to which Respondent was entitled by virtue of the assignment of rights referred to in paragraph 2. On June 8, 1982, the aforementioned court authorized a payroll deduction of $62.00 by weekly against Petitioner's paycheck. Under the terms of the contempt order, $40.00 of this amount was credited to the arrearage. As of June 23, 1987, the arrearage had been reduced to $1,960.00. On July 10, 1986, Respondent caused to be intercepted Petitioner's Federal Income Tax Refund of $1,080.03.
Recommendation Having considered the foregoing stipulated Findings of Fact, and Conclusions of Law, it is, therefore, RECOMMENDED that Respondent, Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services enter a Final Order providing for the Petitioner's income tax refund in the amount of $1,080.03 to be intercepted and applied against his debt to the State of Florida for past due child support. Respectfully submitted and entered this 8th day of September, 1987, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. WILLIAM R. CAVE Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 8th day of September, 1987. COPIES FURNISHED: Marian Alves, Esquire Legal Services of North Florida, Inc. 400 North Madison St. Quincy, Florida 32351 John R. Perry, Esquire Dept. of HRS, District 2, 2639 N. Monroe St. Tallahassee, Florida 32303 Gregory L. Coler, Secretary Dept. of HRS 1323 Winewood Blvd. Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700 Sam Power, Clerk Dept. of HRS 1323 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700
Findings Of Fact Based upon the testimony of the witnesses and the documentary evidence received at the hearing, the following findings of fact are made: The Petitioner is listed as the obligor for child support payments which are payable through the central governmental depository for Hillsborough County, Florida. According to the records maintained by Hillsborough County, as of November 7, 1990, the Petitioner owes $4073.61 for back child support. Petitioner did not dispute the accuracy of that amount at the hearing nor did she object to the entry of the records establishing that amount. Harold C. Ludwig, purportedly Petitioner's former husband who is also listed as the obligee to receive the child support payments from Petitioner, contacted the Department and requested assistance in connection with enforcing the court order authorizing child support. The Department has a contract with Mr. Ludwig and has searched the account history maintained by Hillborough County to determine the amount of arrearages owed by the Petitioner. The Department has standing requests from credit agencies for information on child support accounts where the arrearage amount exceeds $500.00. Based upon the conclusion that Petitioner owed an amount in excess of $500.00, the Department preliminarily determined this account to be subject to disclosure and gave the Petitioner notice of its intent to release the information regarding her arrearage to the credit agencies which have requested the information.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services enter a final order denying Petitioner's challenge to the proposed agency action regarding the referral of child support arrearages to a credit reporting agency. DONE AND ENTERED this 17 day of January, 1991, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. Joyous D. Parrish Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 17 day of January, 1991. APPENDIX TO CASE NO. 90-4480 RULINGS ON THE PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER: 1. None submitted. RULINGS ON THE PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT: 1. Paragraphs 1 through 3 are accepted. COPIES FURNISHED: Theodore J. Rechel Law Offices of DONALD W. BELVEAL 100 West Kennedy Boulevard Suite 600 Tampa, Florida 33602 Sandra A. Ludwig 3212 West Coachman Avenue Tampa, Florida 33611 Linda K. Harris, Esquire Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 1323 Winewood Boulevard Building One, Suite 407 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700 R.S. Power, Agency Clerk Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 1323 Winewood Boulevard Building One, Suite 407 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700