Topic: Attorney General

Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty issued a memo to insurance companies last week reminding them to waive deductibles for crime victims. Attorney General Pam Bondi's office found 13 companies had violated a state law requiring them to waive the deductibles for eligible crime victims.

Human Trafficking bill author Rep. Gayle Harrell said she believed a pilot locked facility for teens is crucial to their recovery. She agreed to pull the provision from her bill but said time will show that a locked safe house is needed.

Attorney General Pam Bondi has come under fire since Florida joined 20 other states on Feb. 3 in filing a legal brief supporting an appeal by the American Farm Bureau and other groups. "Come on, no one wants dirty water," she told an audience at the University of Florida. "What this is about is the EPA overreach."

The senator, who represents Clay, Bradford and Alachua counties, acknowledges that his support to legalize the compound from the marijuana plant has raised concerns among his voters. He said he was drawing a distinction between the abuse of an illegal substance and the legitimate use of a plant to help suffering children. ... Related Research: Sen.Rob Bradley Letter to Constituents Regarding SB 1030.

A crime lab chemist in Pensacola is accused of swiping illegal narcotics from police evidence bags and substituting legal over-the-counter medicines, the evidence-tampering allegations potentially affecting hundreds of drug cases statewide.

The statewide Viva 500 time capsule was sealed and buried on New Year's Eve. Inside are photos, music and legal documents that will provide insight into Florida circa 2013 when the capsule is opened in 81 years. ... Related Research: Items Contained in the Viva Florida 500 Statewide Time Capsule 2013-2095.

The general counsels for the Florida Senate and Florida House charge that the authors of the proposed medical marijuana amendment engaged in wordsmithing in their uncommon use of the terms "debilitating," "caregivers" and "certain." In a brief filed with the Supreme Court in support of the Attorney General's request to block the proposal from the ballot, they also argued the amendment would block a patient's ability to seek redress in a court of law.

Scott and Bondi say oysters, Apalachicola's way of life, are at stake to slake Atlanta's growing thirst. Others point out that farming use is double that of Georgia's capital city. The legal action filed directly with the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday is an escalation in a legal dispute lasting more than two decades.

Six states, the District of Colombia and the U.S. Justice Department are hoping to stop the merger that would create the largest airline in the world. They say the deal is anticompetitive and would lead to higher fares.

As Great Floridian honors are handed out, of a list of Florida Democrats, those voting in a recent Florida Current poll thought former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno deserves some respect.

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam's first campaign report showed he has raised nearly $600,000 since mid-April. Campaign finance reports for the second quarter were due Wednesday for candidates, and most incumbents have an early edge over opponents -- if they have opponents at all more than a year away from the mid-term elections. ... Related Research: 2014 General Election Candidate Campaign Finance Activity reports.

Florida has a new solicitor general, the Florida Democratic Party beefs up its communications office, and the DEP has a new director of its Bureau of Petroleum Storage Systems.

They hold event to publicize a new training video aimed at "modern-day slavery." Officials say people who work closely with the public -- police and hotel workers or store clerks -- are more apt to notice danger signs of human trafficking or pleas for help. ... Related Research: Human Trafficking Video from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Press release from Attorney General Pam Bondi.

A former McCollum spokesperson joins a marketing firm to focus on crisis communications. And Scott makes appointments to the boards of six Early Learning Coalitions.