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Operation "PILL NATION" |
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Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, U.S. Attorney Wilfredo Ferrer, State Attorney Michael McAuliffe |
After a year-long, complex multi-agency investigation, the State Attorney's Office announced the arrest and filing of criminal charges against 11 people in Palm Beach County including four physicians. Some of the defendants were charged with Racketeering (RICO), Trafficking, Money Laundering and numerous other crimes. Operation "PILL NATION" involved roughly 340 undercover buys from doctors and employees in pain clinics throughout Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. Four pain clinics were located in Palm Beach County. In partnership with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Attorney's Office, Drug Enforcement Administration and numerous other state and local law enforcement agencies, more than 400 officers assisted in this investigation.
Local and national media attended a joint press conference announcing the arrests. At the press conference, State Attorney Michael McAuliffe stated: "The teamwork of federal and state authorities reflects a broad commitment to challenge the conclusion that pill mills are a permanent fixture of this county. While legitimate pain management is an essential part of medical practice, we cannot, and will not, allow medicine to be used by merchants of misery to corrupt the health of individuals and undermine the welfare of whole communities. We are in a continuing crisis, but the tide is turning and today's enforcement actions provide a clear example of progress." The investigation is ongoing. |
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State Attorney Reaches Out to the Community |
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Palm Beach County Inspector General Sheryl Steckler with State Attorney Michael McAuliffe |
State Attorney Michael McAuliffe hosted a quarterly advisory board meeting with numerous community and business leaders in attendance. These meetings provide updates on significant state attorney cases and initiatives. There were several top prosecutors including Assistant State Attorney Preston Mighdoll, First Assistant Scott Richardson and Felony Chief Jill Richstone who participated and answered questions. In addition, State Attorney McAuliffe introduced Palm Beach County Inspector General Sheryl Steckler who discussed her office's role in finding waste, fraud and abuse in government. |
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Big Brothers/Big Sisters Mentoring Program | |
 The State Attorney's Office takes great pride in its community partnerships. The office's participation in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Career Skills Mentoring Program is no exception. Each week, 5 eighth grade students visit their mentors at the State Attorney's Office. Assistant State Attorneys Adrienne Ellis, Autumn Gurrola, Tara McIntosh and PIO & Volunteer Program Director Sarah Alsofrom mentor these bright and capable young people who plan to be lawyers one day.
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Operation "DIRTY WATER" - Corruption Tango | |
In a joint press conference, State Attorney Michael McAuliffe, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, Boynton Beach Chief of Police Matt Immler and Palm Beach Chief of Police Kirk W. Blouin announced the arrests and filing of criminal charges against 13 defendants for Racketeering (RICO), Conspiracy to Commit RICO, Money Laundering and Unlawful Compensation or Reward for Official Behavior.
Operation "DIRTY WATER" is an ongoing public corruption matter examining allegations that public employees illegally accepted gifts such as trips and jewelry from an engineering contracting firm. The firm allegedly provided these items as rewards for sewer and water pipe contracts the firm received from the defendants' employers. These crimes occurred between 2004 and 2011. The government contracts totaled millions of dollars.
The defendants include current and former employees of Palm Beach County, the City of West Palm Beach, the City of Boynton Beach, the Village of Wellington, the Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District, the City of Port St. Lucie and Sarasota County.
State Attorney Michael McAuliffe stated at the news conference: "This is the type of corruption that we call corruption tango. It takes multiple players in a dance for their own benefit both in the public sector and private sector." The investigation is ongoing. |
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Florida Legislative Update by SA Michael McAuliffe | |
The Legislative session is well underway and budget issues dominate the agenda. State attorneys likely will be confronted with budget reductions of at least 5% on top of the 15% already eliminated over the past three years. State attorneys are particularly hit hard because assistant prosecutors can earn much more in private practice. As a result, reductions in prosecutor pay push some of the best prosecutors out of the office. Prosecutor turnover costs taxpayers millions of dollars by creating an unnecessary high need to recruit and train new attorneys.
The office continues to work to create a performance-oriented, accountable office of professionals; however, state attorneys need the ability to attract and retain committed prosecutors to handle increasingly technical and sophisticated matters. Retaining competent, committed prosecutors is among the best investments taxpayers can make in pursuit of a better, safer Florida. |
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Senior Citizen Life Insurance Scam | |
 The State Attorney's Office filed criminal charges against a West Boca life insurance agent accused of scamming elderly investors out of more than one million dollars. The defendant was charged with Organized Scheme to Defraud, Grand Theft and Grand Theft from a Person more than 65 Years of Age or Older.
The defendant allegedly sold unfair life insurance policies to seniors which had high penalties for early withdrawals. He promised huge profits for the victims' investments that never materialized. Many of the elderly clients lost their life savings in the scam.
The defendant allegedly gained the victims' trust by sending them gifts and taking them to dinner, even touting himself as the number one agent for his company. Many of the victims did not understand how to manage a stock portfolio so they relied on his improper advice. He was able to take advantage of their financial inexperience and allegedly made numerous promises he knew he was unable to keep. State Attorney's Office elder abuse prosecutor Preston Mighdoll is handling the case.
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Michael F. McAuliffe
State Attorney
Fifteenth Judicial Circuit
in and for
Palm Beach County, Florida
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Secure Justice
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Safeguard Victims
~ Serve the People |
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Main Office Location
401 North Dixie Highway
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
561-355-7100 (Phone)
561-366-1800 (Fax)
1-800-353-3859 (Toll Free)
West County Office
38844 State Road 80
Belle Glade, Florida 33430
561-996-4820 (Phone)
561-992-1055 (Fax)
South County Office
200 West Atlantic Ave., Suite 100
Delray Beach, Florida 33444
561-274-1490 (Phone)
561-274-1498 (Fax)
North County Office
3188 PGA Blvd.
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33418
561-624-6630 (Phone)
561-624-6548 (Fax)
Gun Club Office
3228 Gun Club Road
West Palm Beach, Florida 33406
561-688-4640 (Phone)
561-688-4646 (Fax)
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