The Issue The issue is whether Petitioner’s application for a license from the Florida Real Estate Commission was properly denied.
Findings Of Fact Petitioner, his Background, and the Application Leroy L. Baines, Jr., was born on October 31, 1985. Currently 29 years old, he is employed with a financial services company. He serves on the board of a non-profit organization called Butterfly Foundation Group. The organization works with underprivileged and at-risk youth. He also works with J.J.’s Boxing Club and Global Village, both non-profit entities. In 2005, Mr. Baines pled no contest to a criminal traffic infraction: operating a motor vehicle without a valid license (“Criminal Traffic Infraction No. 1”). He was adjudicated guilty and sentenced. Respondent’s Ex. No. 1 at 00028. The following calendar year, 2006, Mr. Baines was convicted of driving while his license was cancelled, suspended, revoked, or he was disqualified from holding a license (“Criminal Traffic Infraction No. 2”). Id. at 00022. In 2008, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Mr. Baines pled guilty and was adjudicated guilty of two federal crimes: 1) conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery, and 2) carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence (the “Federal Criminal Offenses”). Id. at 00013. Mr. Baines was sentenced to 55 months imprisonment for the Federal Criminal Offenses on June 18, 2008. He served his sentence in prisons located in Florida, Texas, and North Carolina. His sentence expired on June 30, 2014, and he was discharged from supervision on September 3, 2014. Id. at 00040. On April 11, 2014, Respondent received Mr. Baines’ application for licensure as a real estate associate (the “Application”). He answered “Yes” to Background Question 1, which asks, “Have you ever been convicted or found guilty of, or entered a plea of nolo contendere or guilty to, regardless of adjudication, a crime in any jurisdiction . . . ?” Id. at 00010. After the background questions in the Application, the Application states, “If you answered ‘YES’ to any question in [the background questions], please refer to Section IV of the Instructions for detailed instructions on providing complete explanations, including requirements for submitting supporting legal documents.” Id. In the Application’s “Section IV(b) – Explanation(s) for Background Question 1,” Petitioner listed the Federal Criminal Offenses. For one of the two offenses under “Penalty/Disposition,” he wrote “Time Served”; for the other, he wrote “55 months.” Id. Under “Description” as to each of the two Federal Criminal Offenses, Petitioner wrote, “5 years Supervised Release.” Id. Despite the Application’s detailed instructions that require criminal traffic infractions to be listed (“This question applies to any criminal violation of the laws of any municipality, county, state or nation, including felony, misdemeanor and traffic offenses . . . .” Id.), Petitioner failed to list the two Criminal Traffic Infractions. Petitioner’s Case Mr. Baines testified that his application should be granted because he has cooperated with Respondent by providing everything that was asked of him during the Application review process. Although he had not included the Criminal Traffic Infractions on the written Application, he freely admitted during the hearing it was his responsibility at the time he made out the Application to report them and to offer any relevant explanation of them. With regard to the Criminal Traffic Infractions, Mr. Baines testified he spent 30 days in the Orange County Jail. He seeks leniency in this application process based on his age at the time of the offenses which he claimed, at first, was 16. Noting the difference between his birthday and 2005 and 2006, Mr. Baines conceded during cross-examination that he was several years older than 16 at the time of the Criminal Traffic Infractions. Mr. Baines elaborated on the Federal Criminal Offenses explaining that he had fallen in with former high school friends whom he had not seen for some time when they recruited him to drive the get-away car in a robbery. He stated that at the time of the crime he was in possession of two guns both of which he had been carrying legally prior to the crime: a nine millimeter Glock and a .40 caliber handgun. Mr. Baines’ time in prison was spent without any violations of prison rules, according to his testimony, and he completed the post-release program successfully. His success in serving his time is the basis, Mr. Baines asserted, for his release from federal supervision so promptly after the expiration of the sentence. No documentation of “good behavior” in prison, however, was offered at hearing. In an attempt to demonstrate rehabilitation, Mr. Baines referred to his service to the Butterfly Foundation, J.J.’s Boxing Club, and the other two non-profit organizations with which he works that serve at-risk youth in the Pompano and Fort Lauderdale areas. He also averred that he had been cleared by the Department of Children and Families (“DCF”) to work with underprivileged youth for cheerleading and gymnastics although he offered no supportive documentary evidence from DCF. Mr. Baines did submit to Respondent as part of his application three documents related to rehabilitation. The first extolled his work as an employee. The second was written by a teacher at Stranahan High School who is a fellow basketball player at pick-up games in a public basketball court in Plantation, Florida. The third was written by his pastor at the Living Waters Sanctuary in Oakland Park, Florida. The authors of the letters all write highly of Mr. Baines. In support of his case for rehabilitation, Mr. Baines testified that after his conviction for the Federal Criminal Offenses, he had had only one slip-up: a urinalysis (“UA”) positive for marijuana, a substance he had used as a youth. Mr. Baines claimed that the UA was conducted only because those supervising his post-release case sent him for the testing after Mr. Baines had voluntarily acknowledged his recent use of marijuana. But for the single marijuana incident, Mr. Baines asserted under oath that his record after his conviction, in prison and out of prison during a post-incarceration discharge period, had been spotless. His admirable conduct, he testified, is what led to the court to promptly release him from federal supervision.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Florida Real Estate Commission enter a final order denying Petitioner’s application for licensure as a real estate sales associate. DONE AND ENTERED this 16th day of July, 2015, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S DAVID M. MALONEY Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 16th day of July, 2015. COPIES FURNISHED: Leroy L. Baines, Jr. 4808 Northwest 8th Court Lauderhill, Florida 33317 Tom Barnhart, Esquire Office of the Attorney General The Capitol, Plaza Level 01 Tallahassee, Florida 32399 (eServed) William N. Spicola, General Counsel Department of Business and Profession Regulation Northwood Centre 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399 (eServed) Darla Furst, Chair Real Estate Commission Department of Business and Profession Regulation 400 West Robinson Street, N801 Orlando, Florida 32801 (eServed)
Findings Of Fact The factual allegations contained in the Stop-Work Order and Order of Penalty Assessment issued on August 23, 2010, the Amended Order of Penalty Assessment issued on September 13, 2010, and the Order Closing File which are fully incorporated herein by reference, are hereby adopted as the Department’s Findings of Fact in this case.
Conclusions THIS PROCEEDING came on for final agency action and Jeff Atwater, Chief Financial Officer of the State of Florida, or his designee, having considered the record in this case, including the Stop-Work Order and Order of Penalty Assessment, the Amended Order of Penalty Assessment, the Petition for Request of Hearing, and the Order Closing File, and being otherwise fully advised in the premises, hereby finds that: 1. On August 23, 2010, the Department of Financial Services, Division of Workers’ Compensation (hereinafter “Department”) issued a Stop-Work Order and Order of Penalty Assessment in Division of Workers’ Compensation Case No. 10-341-1A to AN & YA CONSTRUCTION, INC. 2. On August 23, 2010, the Stop-Work Order and Order of Penalty Assessment was personally served on AN & YA CONSTRUCTION, INC. A copy of the Stop-Work Order and Order of Penalty Assessment is attached hereto as “Exhibit A” and incorporated herein by reference. 3. On September 13, 2010, the Department issued an Amended Order of Penalty Assessment in Division of Workers’ Compensation Case No. 10-341-1A to AN & YA CONSTRUCTION, INC. The Amended Order of Penalty Assessment assessed a total penalty of $75,724.80 against AN & YA CONSTRUCTION, INC. 4. On September 20, 2010, the Amended Order of Penalty Assessment was served by certified mail on AN & YA CONSTRUCTION, INC. A copy of the Amended Order of Penalty Assessment is attached hereto as “Exhibit B” and incorporated herein by reference. 5. On October 8, 2010, AN & YA CONSTRUCTION, INC filed a Petition for Request of Hearing (“Petition”) with the Department in response to the Amended Order of Penalty Assessment. A copy of the Petition is attached hereto as “Exhibit C” and incorporated herein by reference. 6. On November 24, 2010, the Petition was forwarded to the Division of Administrative Hearings and assigned DOAH Case No. 10-10421. 7. On April 28, 2011, an Order Closing File was entered in Division of Administrative Hearings Case. No. 10-10421. A copy of the Order Closing File is attached hereto as “Exhibit D” and incorporated herein by reference.
Conclusions This matter came before the Department for entry of a Final Order upon submission of an Order Relinquishing Jurisdiction and Closing File by W. David Watkins, an Administrative Law Judge of the Division of Administrative Hearings, a copy of which is attached and incorporated by reference in this order. The Department hereby adopts the Order Relinquishing Jurisdiction and Closing File as its Final Order in this matter. Said Order Closing file was predicated upon a stipulated settlement agreement between the parties, filed August 5, 2010. Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that the Authorized Dealer Agreement between Solano Cycle, Inc. and Adly Moto LLC remains in full force va DONE AND ORDERED this Le day of August, 2010, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. 'ARL A. FORD, Direct Division of Motor Vehicles Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Neil Kirkman Building Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Filed August 17, 2010 9:58 AM Division of Administrative Hearings. Filed with the Clerk of the Divisign of Motor Vehicles this day of August, 2010. N in Vinavak, Dealer Administrator NOTICE OF APPEAL RIGHTS Judicial review of this order may be had pursuant to section 120.68, Florida Statutes, in the District Court of Appeal for the First District, State of Florida, or in any other district court of appeal of this state in an appellate district where a party resides. In order to initiate such review, one copy of the notice of appeal must be filed with the Department and the other copy of the notice of appeal, together with the filing fee, must be filed with the court within thirty days of the filing date of this order as set out above, pursuant to Rules of Appellate Procedure. CAF:vlg Copies furnished: W. David Watkins Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Garrett Laves Adly Moto LLC 1200 Lakeside Parkway, Suite 325 Flower Mound, Texas 75025 Martin Edward Solano Solano Cycle, Inc. 1024A South Main Street Gainesville, Florida 32601 Nalini Vinayak Dealer License Section
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law the Hearing Officer recommends that the Department of Transportation take no action against the subject sign. DONE and ORDERED this 4th day of June, 1979, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. STEPHEN F. DEAN 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 4th day of June, 1979. COPIES FURNISHED: Frank H. King, Esquire Department of Transportation Haydon Burns Building Tallahassee, Florida 32301 James P. Appleman, Esquire 206 Market Street Post Office Box 385 Marianna, Florida 32446
Conclusions There is competent substantial evidence to support a conclusion that Miami-Dade County owed a duty of care that was breached when its bus driver ran a red traffic signal, directly and proximately causing the Claimant’s permanent and severe injuries. ATTORNEY’S FEES AND LOBBYIST’S FEES: In compliance with Section 768.28(8), Florida Statutes, but not with Section 3 of this claim bill, Claimant’s attorney has submitted a closing statement affirming that the attorney’s fees are 25 percent of the amount of the award, and that the lobbyists' fees are an additional 6 percent. The Claimants have entered into an agreement to pay costs that was approved by the guardian and the court. Costs are expected to range between $25,783.29, the amount as of January 15, 2007, to $75,783.29 by the end of the claim bill process. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: This is the first time that a claim bill has been filed to compensate Schneidine Theogene. RECOMMENDATIONS: For the reasons set forth in this report, I recommend that Senate Bill 56 (2008) be reported FAVORABLY. Respectfully submitted, cc: Senator Dave Aronberg Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera Faye Blanton, Secretary of the Senate Eleanor M. Hunter Senate Special Master House Committee on Constitution and Civil Law Mark Kruse, House Special Master Counsel of Record
The Issue The issues are whether the agency statement identified as Section 5.02.08 of the Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary Policy Manual falls within the definition of a rule, and if so, whether rulemaking is feasible and practicable.
Findings Of Fact Based upon all of the evidence, including the stipulation of facts, the following findings of fact are determined: Petitioner, Berwyn R. Spear, also known as Pete Spear, operates a business under the name of "Pete's Chevron" located at 2151 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida. Among other things, the business provides wrecker services for towing automobiles. Besides operating his service station, for the last twelve years petitioner has been a member of the Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary (Auxiliary), a statutorily created volunteer service organization whose members ride with and assist members of the Division of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) in the performance of their regular duties. He has expended almost $1,000 for equipment and uniforms. The Auxiliary functions under the direct supervision of the FHP, which in turn is a governmental unit under the jurisdiction of respondent, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Auxiliary members are not required to be sworn police officers but are certified by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. Members are required to have monthly activity amounting to a minimum of twenty-four hours per calendar quarter, but they receive no pay or benefits other than those prescribed by Part IV of Chapter 110, Florida Statutes, which governs volunteer organizations. Finally, Auxiliary members serve at the pleasure of the FHP director and are subject to removal at will. They have no statutory right of review or appeal for disciplinary action but there is an internal disciplinary review process administered by an FHP review board in Tallahassee. Pursuant to state law, and subject to further requirements in Chapter 15B-9, Florida Administrative Code, the FHP maintains a wrecker rotation list, by which the FHP facilitates wrecker services to persons needing assistance on the roadways. For the last twelve years and until February 1992, petitioner's business was on the rotation list and he derived several hundred dollars per month in such towing income. The rotation list works in the following manner. Whenever a trooper encounters circumstances requiring the towing of a motorist's vehicle, the trooper notifies the dispatcher of the need for a wrecker from the rotation list, unless the motorist expresses a desire for a specific wrecker service. The dispatcher then telephones the next appropriate wrecker service from the rotation list and makes a request for services. It is noted that FHP troopers are prohibited by internal policy 5.19.00 found in the FHP Policy Manual from being employed by any wrecker company (as opposed to just those on the rotation list) since the FHP deems this to be an unacceptable conflict of interest. The FHP has developed an Auxiliary Policy Manual (Manual) containing various written standards and guidelines governing the conduct of Auxiliary members. Like other policy manuals developed by the FHP, the Manual has not been formally adopted as a rule. As is relevant to this controversy, Section 5.02.08 of the Manual relates to the subject of conflict of interest, and prior to January 1992, simply stated in part that "any conflict between private employment and the FHP or any abuse of a member's FHPA position that benefits his employment will result in immediate dismissal from the FHPA." However, the FHP did not construe this provision as barring petitioner from being a member of the Auxiliary and at the same time having his wrecker business on the FHP rotation list. On January 29, 1992, the director of the FHP issued a memorandum to all troop commanders regarding a change in Section 5.02.08 of the Auxiliary Policy Manual. The newly added language read as follows: Due to the sensitive relationship between the Florida Highway Patrol and wrecker companies, employment involving wrecker companies that do business with the Florida Highway Patrol is considered to be a conflict of interest. The director's memorandum provided the following instructions to all troop commanders regarding the new language in Section 5.02.08: The attached policy revisions will bring the Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary Manual in line with the Florida Highway Patrol Manual regarding employment by wrecker companies. If (sic) is requested that you survey all Auxiliary members in your troop to determine if any are in violation of this policy. Please take the necessary action to bring members found in violation of this policy into compliance. In the event the member cannot comply with this policy, it will be necessary that the member resign from the Auxiliary. Pursuant to this new policy, an FHP troop commander contacted petitioner in February 1991 and advised him that he must either remove his wrecker business from the FHP wrecker rotation list or resign from the Auxiliary. Although strongly disagreeing with the policy, petitioner advised the FHP by letter dated February 18, 1992, that he wished to remove his wrecker business from the rotation list. He did so in order to remain a member of the Auxiliary. After his informal appeal challenging the policy was denied, on August 7, 1992, petitioner filed his petition seeking to have the new language in Section 5.02.08 declared invalid as an unpromulgated rule. According to the FHP's chief of special operations, there is no discretion on the part of the troop commander or other enforcing officer except to require strict adherence to the policy. In other words, the policy in question is not subject in application to the discretion of the enforcing officer. Therefore, the policy has uniform application to all Auxiliary members and requires those members who own wrecker businesses on the FHP rotation list to choose between remaining a member of the Auxiliary or removing their business from the FHP rotation list. Since he is directly impacted by the policy, petitioner has standing to bring this action. In August 1992, respondent adopted substantial amendments to Chapter 15B-9, Florida Administrative Code, which relate to "Wrecker Qualifications and Allocation System." However, the rules do not address petitioner's concerns nor codify the so-called conflict of interest policy applicable to Auxiliary members. At hearing respondent also expressed the view, without further explanation, that if it had to adopt the Auxiliary policies as formal rules, it would be a difficult and "cumbersome" task, it might well "have the effect of eliminating the auxiliary service", it would "serve to inhibit the agency from doing its statutory job", and it "would seriously affect the ability of the agency to effectively operate an auxiliary volunteer service." These assertions were not contradicted. Even so, rulemaking is found to be feasible and practicable since there is no evidence to support a finding that at least one of the exceptions in Subsections 120.535(1)(a) and (b), Florida Statutes, is applicable.
Conclusions This matter came on for determination by the Department upon submission of an Order of Dismissal and Order Relinquishing Jurisdiction by Daniel M. Kilbride, an Administrative Law Judge, of the Division of Administrative Hearings, a copy of which is attached and incorporated by reference in this order. The Department hereby ‘adopts the Order of Dismissal and Order Relinquishing Jurisdiction as its Final Order in this matter. ORDERED that this case is CLOSED and no license will be issued to Peace Industry Group, Inc. and Eco Green Machine, LLC d/b/a Eco Green Machine to sell motorcycles manufactured by Astronautical Bashan Motorcycle Co. Ltd. (BASH) at 7000 Park Boulevard, Pinellas Park (Pinellas County), Florida 33781. DONE AND ORDERED this ha, of August, 2009, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. ‘atl A. Ford, Director Division of Motor Vehicles Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Neil Kirkman Building Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Motor Vehicles this__[I#) day of August, 2009. NOTICE OF APPEAL RIGHTS __ Nalini Vinayak, Deaier Administrator Judicial review of this order may be had pursuant to section 120.68, Florida Statutes, in the District Court of Appeal for the First District, State of Florida, or in any other district court of appeal of this state in an appellate district where a party resides. In order to initiate such review, one copy of the notice of appeal must be filed with the Department and the other copy of the notice of appeal, together with the filing fee, must be filed with the court within thirty days of the filing date of this order as set out above, pursuant to Rules of Appellate Procedure. CAF/vig Copies furnished: Meredith Huang Peace Industry Group, Inc. 6600 B Jimmy Carter Boulevard Norcross, Georgia 30071 Ronnie Pownall ECO Green Machine, LLC d/b/a Eco Green Machine 7000 Park Boulevard Pinellas Park, Florida 33781 Jeffrey A. Blau, Esquire Davis Island Law 213 East Davis Boulevard Tampa, Florida 33606-3728 Michael J. Alderman, Esquire Assistant General Counsel Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Neil Kirkman Building, Rm. A-432 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0504 Daniel M. Kilbride Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 Nalini Vinayak Dealer License Administrator Florida Administrative Law Reports Post Office Box 385 Gainesville, Florida 32602
The Issue Whether the Respondent's suspension of Petitioner was in compliance with Chapter 110, Florida Statutes, and Chapters 22A-7 and 22A-10, Florida Administrative Code. Whether the Respondent's suspension of Petitioner should be sustained.
Findings Of Fact C. R. Dykes is a State Trooper employed by Respondent, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, in the Division of Florida Highway Patrol in Pensacola, Florida. By certified mail letter dated September 30, 1977, Trooper Dykes, the Petitioner, was notified that he was being suspended for twenty-four (24) hours (three work days) without pay by the Respondent, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Division of Florida Highway Patrol, for: Conduct Unbecoming a Public Employee and Negligence of Duty, as a result of your failure to accept witness subpoenas, and your contact with civil deputies of Escambia County, Florida . . . (Y)ou failed to accept witness subpoenas and repeatedly used profanity when discussing these subpoenas with civil deputies of Escambia County. Trooper Dykes appealed this suspension. Petitioner presented testimony and documentary evidence that at least on one occasion the Respondent did not appear for a contested hearing before the County Court of Escambia County after a witness subpoena had been issued for him and the subpoena was served on Respondent by leaving it with Operator Wise at the distribution center at the Patrol Station. The subpoena was not picked up by the Respondent and the Respondent informed the court that he had not received the subpoena. On July 6, 1977, Trooper Dykes was served with a Grand Jury subpoena by Lieutenant G. C. Wiggins and Sergeant W. A. Clark who supervised Trooper Dykes and the other State Troopers in the Pensacola District. Personal service was deemed necessary. Testimony was entered that because of previous difficulty in serving subpoenas upon Trooper Dykes in the customary manner by having the Troopers pick up their subpoenas from the Radio/Teletype Operators of the Pensacola Florida Highway Patrol Station, Deputy D. L. Roland, Escambia County Sheriff's Office, served a witness subpoena upon Trooper Dykes by serving it at Trooper Dykes' home through his wife, Mrs. Dykes, who accepted service with no apparent objections at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, July 22, 1977. Trooper Dykes called Sergeant Vince Seely, now Lieutenant Seely, thereafter at 4:00 pm, on July 22, 1977, to complain about the witness subpoena served at his home address rather than at the Florida Highway Patrol Station. Lt. Seely testified that during the telephone conversation Trooper Dykes yelled into the telephone, cursed Lt. Seely and the Sheriff's Office, made unfounded accusations, and displayed unprofessional behavior, attitude, and lack of cooperation. The Respondent contended that the telephone conversation was strictly between Sergeant Seely and the Respondent; the service of the subpoena was not urgent; that 1:15 p.m. is not a reasonable time of day for a person working from midnight to 8 o'clock in the morning; that the birth of a child was imminent; and that the subpoena could have been left at the station rather than have been served at his home. There was some evidence presented that the Respondent "gave the dispatchers a hard time who informed him they had a subpoena for him."
Recommendation Sustain the agency action of suspension of Petitioner for the period of 24 hours without pay. DONE and ORDERED this 6th day of April, 1978, in Tallahassee, Florida. DELPHENE C. STRICKLAND Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 6th day of April, 1978. COPIES FURNISHED: C. R. Dykes 644 Timber Ridge Road Pensacola, Florida 32504 Enoch J. Whitney, Esquire Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Kirkman Building Tallahassee, Florida 32304
