Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressApril 6, 2016

Two more South Florida men are facing prison time for their roles in an estimated $100 million federal income tax fraud scheme that prosecutors are calling one of the nation’s largest. A Fort Lauderdale federal judge is scheduled Wednesday to sentence 27-year-old Harlan Decoste and 25-year-old Andy Cherrelus. Both face a decade or more in […]

Associated PressMarch 12, 2016

Steve Nardizzi‘s entrepreneurial approach to charity work transformed the Wounded Warrior Project, which began as a shoestring effort to provide underwear and CD players to hospitalized soldiers, into an $800 million fundraising enterprise. It also led to his downfall. A lawyer by training who never served in the military, Nardizzi traded a career in the […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 11, 2016

As April 15 quickly approaches and Americans start to file tax returns, a large number of people will be in for a shock. And it’s not a bigger-than-expected refund. Many will learn their taxes have already been filed – by someone else using their identity. Identity theft and tax fraud are on the rise in 2016, […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 14, 2015

A Tallahassee-based advocacy group led by veteran lobbyist Barney Bishop has had a mass exodus of board members in recent weeks, including one who accused Bishop of being motivated by “self-aggrandizement and personal gain.” As of Monday, group founder and former chairwoman Lori Costantino-Brown and members Pamela Alvarez, Catherine Craig-Myers, Jim DeBeaugrine and Mary Lynn Ulrey had all turned […]

Sally SwartzAugust 4, 2015

It’s skunk week in Martin County. Not to malign Florida’s real skunks, but their human imitators have left an odiferous trail countywide this week. On the hit list: A respected environmental group, Martin County government, and residents who have fought developers who don’t want to follow the county’s protective growth rules. The stinkers: Sugar industry […]

Associated PressJuly 29, 2015

Psssst … Need a phony ID? A fraudulent tax refund? Insurance money from a sham car crash? Florida may have just what you’re looking for. Since the first settlers hacked their way into the mangrove tangles and drained much of the swampland, sunny South Florida has been virtually synonymous with shady deals and scams. Over […]

Guest AuthorApril 21, 2014

As our nation continues to rebuild from the recession — as we look for ways to attract businesses, boost incomes, and lower the unemployment rate — the most exciting reforms are taking place at the state level. At the center of this economic retooling process is the move by governors across the country to fix […]

Tag: Internal Revenue Service

2 more Florida men face prison in $100 million tax fraud case

Wounded Warrior founder open to return

How seniors can prevent rising online scams, identity theft during 2016 tax season

Criminal justice reform organization led by Barney Bishop bleeding board members

Sally Swartz: Stinky lawsuits befoul Martin County development fights

By nearly any measure, sunny South Florida is tops in fraud

Stephen Moore, Travis H. Brown: Florida is benefitting from its tax policies