Michael Carroll News
Deputies found not entitled to qualified immunity in St. Tammany excessive force case
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies are appealing a recent federal court decision that found the deputies are not entitled to qualified immunity in an excessive force lawsuit filed by a Slidell resident.
DeSantis names Judge Renatha Francis to state Supreme Court
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday announced that 15th Circuit Court Judge Renatha Francis will become the newest justice on the Florida Supreme Court, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Al Lawson earlier this year.
Rollout of property insurance fraud squads spikes Florida prosecutions
Months of work by newly created insurance fraud squads has led to a more than twofold increase in successful property insurance fraud prosecutions across Florida, the state’s chief financial officer reported.
Tampa Christian school argues Biden gender identity policy threatens school lunch funds
Attorneys for a Tampa Christian school have filed a motion to stop the enforcement of federal nondiscrimination guidelines that include sexual orientation and gender identity so that the school can continue receiving school lunch funding.
Christian ministry group amends vaccine class action on behalf of Coast Guard members
An Orlando-based Christian ministry group has breathed new life into a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of Coast Guard personnel who allege the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate violated their constitutional rights.
Florida reinsurance plan aims to avoid disruptions caused by insurer downgrades
Florida insurance regulators last week pitched a contingency plan to help property insurers weather any turmoil in the market caused by a ratings agency’s plan to downgrade the financial status of 17 insurers.
Class action accuses Florida of undercutting value of unclaimed property
A St. Petersburg woman has filed a federal class-action complaint against Jimmy Patronis in his role as Florida’s chief financial officer, accusing the state of failing to pay owners of unclaimed properties just compensation.
2nd Circuit judge dismisses claims against legislative leaders in redistricting lawsuit
A Leon County judge has dismissed top Florida legislative leaders, including House Speaker Chris Sprowls and Senate President Wilton Simpson, as defendants in a lawsuit challenging the state’s congressional redistricting map.
Ratings firm downgrades financial grades of 17 Florida property insurers
A ratings company said it plans to downgrade the financial status of 17 Florida insurance companies, sending shockwaves around the struggling industry and putting millions of homeowners in danger of violating the terms of their mortgages.
Citizens says company remains strong despite reduced rate increase
Citizens Property Insurance Corp, the insurer of last result in Florida, remains on solid financial ground despite regulators deciding not to give the state-run company its requested overall rate increase last month, company officials said.
Florida Bar outreach aims to better inform voters about lower-profile judicial races
As part of an effort to inform Florida voters about low-profile judicial elections in August and November, the Florida Bar will release the results of a poll of its membership next month about more than 30 judicial retention elections.
Orange County judge dismisses 'rights-of-nature' lawsuit against wetlands developer
Environmentalists whose lawsuit against an Orange County developer was dismissed in circuit court last week are planning to appeal the decision to gain recognition for a “rights-of-nature” amendment recently added to the county’s charter.
Tallahassee tenants sue over redevelopment of public housing complex
Former tenants of the Orange Avenue Apartments in Tallahassee are suing the local housing authority over its redevelopment plan for the public housing complex, alleging the plan violates the federal Fair Housing Act.
DeSantis vetoes bill that would have encouraged businesses to sue local governments
Public-policy groups have expressed relief over Gov. Ron DeSantis’ veto of legislation that would have allowed businesses to sue local governments when ordinances lead to profit losses of 15% or more.
Alachua County farm files 'right-to-repair' class action against John Deere
A Northern Florida federal class-action lawsuit is among the cases challenging John Deere’s “illegal monopoly” in the farm equipment repair market that have been consolidated in Illinois.
Citizens moves to boost attorney spending to resolve property insurance claims
Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has approved a total of $100 million for the year 2022 to pay attorneys to litigate the rising number of disputed claims, raising new concerns about the struggling Florida insurance industry.
Business groups applaud DeSantis' veto of tax audit bill
Groups concerned about the plight of Florida small businesses are applauding Gov. Ron DeSantis for vetoing a bill that critics say would have put business owners at a disadvantage during tax audits initiated by the state Department of Revenue.
Florida's 'Stop-WOKE' law not seen as impediment to Title IX training
Despite concerns about the potential effects of Florida’s new “Stop-WOKE” law on sex-discrimination training, the president of a national Title IX administrators group does not see the law having any bearing on Title IX training in Florida.
Journalist critical of FPL business activities surveilled by consulting firm, documents allege
A consulting firm that once worked with Florida Power & Light surveilled a Florida Times-Union journalist who wrote critically of the utility’s business plans in 2019 and 2020, documents leaked to the Times-Union indicate.
Florida's 'anti-WOKE' law drawing more criticism from academic freedom advocates
Groups that advocate for academic freedom are becoming increasingly critical of the new “anti-WOKE” law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in April, signaling that more litigation to overturn the measure may be in the works.