Attorney General Moody Calls on Biden to Restore Drug Czar to Cabinet-Level Post

As record amounts of fentanyl continue to flood across the U.S. Southwest Border and fuel the deadly opioid crisis, Attorney General Ashley Moody is calling on President Joe Biden to restore the Director for the Office of the National Drug Control Policy position to a cabinet-level post. This comes as Title 42 is set to expire this week, which will fuel a massive border surge and allow even more deadly fentanyl to flood into the country.

Since President Biden took office, authorities seized nearly 23,000 pounds of the deadly drug, enough to kill the entire U.S. population more than 15 times over. Drug overdose deaths are also skyrocketing—more than 100,000 occurred last year alone. As Biden keeps refusing to take the opioid crisis seriously and secure the border, others should be empowered to protect the American people. Attorney General Moody is urging the president to elevate the ONDCP Director position to bring more accountability and expand the office’s flexibility to combat illicit fentanyl and save lives.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “The opioid crisis, fueled by illicit fentanyl from Mexico, continues to rage, killing tens of thousands of Americans every year. With Title 42 set to expire this week, we can only imagine how much more fentanyl will make it across the border under the cover of a massive migration surge. I am demanding that the president take this crisis seriously, and work to stop the large amounts of this deadly drug flooding into our country, including restoring the nation’s drug czar position back to a cabinet post.” Read More

Attorney General Moody's Statewide Prosecutors Secure Prison Sentences for Drug Traffickers Running a Pill Press Operation

Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution secured prison sentences for drug traffickers running a pill press operation. Jeffrey Williams, and accomplice Charice Williams, trafficked multiple illicit substances, such as phenethylamines, cocaine and methamphetamine. Jeffrey Williams is also guilty of tampering with evidence, maintaining a drug house, fleeing from authorities, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and multiple other criminal acts.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Counterfeit pills are a growing problem in this country, and even though these traffickers did not face charges related to illicit fentanyl, they still posed a major threat to the public. I am thankful for all the hard work by my Statewide Prosecutors and law enforcement to ensure these drug traffickers are behind bars where they belong—unable to harm Floridians.” Read More

Attorney General Moody's Office Charges Man for Bilking Seniors with Streaming Service Investment Scheme

Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution is charging a man with felony fraud and elderly exploitation counts for deceiving more than 300 victims, many of whom are seniors, into investing in a phony streaming-service company. According to a joint Florida Office of Financial Regulation and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigation, Anthony Hernandez operated a criminal-fraud scheme defrauding victims by advertising investment opportunities in a streaming-service company, Oi2Go, on television and social media. Over the course of 13 months, Hernandez bilked more than $1.6 million from victims.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “This defendant placed misleading advertisements on television and social media, tricking victims, including many seniors, into believing that their investment would bring back big returns. Instead, the defendant used their money to pay personal expenses. Working with state and federal partners, we have shut down this devious investment scheme and will hold the defendant accountable in court.” Read More

Attorney General Moody Secures Millions Following Antitrust Investigation into Automotive Parts Manufacturers Price Fixing Allegations

Attorney General Ashley Moody secured more than $13 million in an antitrust case against major automotive parts manufacturers. The funds come at the conclusion of an investigation against more than 60 manufacturers, including Hitachi, Panasonic and Mitsubishi Electric. The investigation into the companies’ conduct found evidence of the manufacturers fixing prices and rigging contract bids. As a result of the companies’ actions, public entities paid more for vehicles needed for public services, including police cruisers.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “These automotive parts manufacturers set high prices and rigged contract bids, causing local and our state governments to spend more for vehicles needed for essential public services, like police cruisers. I’m proud to announce the conclusion of our investigation into these companies’ conduct and secure more than $13 million for the entities around the state that were affected.” Read More

Attorney General Moody Secures Relief for Consumers from Pet Store Selling Sick Puppies

Attorney General Ashley Moody has secured monetary relief for consumers who were reportedly deceived by a pet store that sold sick or dying puppies. A consumer protection investigation against Hoof’s Pets, Inc., doing business as Petland Orlando East and Petland Waterford Lakes, revealed consumer complaints alleging Petland misrepresented the health and quality of the puppies sold, dishonored pet warranties and violated parts of Florida’s Pet Lemon Law. Following Attorney General Moody’s action, Petland paid more than $123,000 in refunds to consumers. The announcement confirms an additional $85,000 in monetary relief for consumers—bringing the total to more than $200,000.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “We are securing financial relief for Floridians who purchased sick and dying puppies when they thought they were bringing home a healthy family pet. I am glad that through this action my Consumer Protection Division was able to obtain thousands of dollars for harmed consumers, as well as injunctive relief to prevent these defendants from deceiving others in the future.” Read More