U.S. Sues Florida Over Disabled Children In Nursing Homes

MIAMI – The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Florida on Monday, accusing the state of unnecessarily keeping about 200 disabled children in nursing homes and cutting services that would allow them to receive care at home. Once they do get to the facility, federal officials said many stay for years, some literally grow up in a nursing home.

Federal investigators say they visited six nursing homes around the state and identified roughly 200 children who didn’t need to be there and could benefit from being care for at home or in the community. But instead, the children languish in facilities, sharing common areas with elderly patients and having few interactions with others, rarely leaving the nursing homes or going outside. Investigators noted the children are not exposed to social, educational and recreational activities that are critical to child development. Educational opportunities are limited to as little as 45 minutes a day, according to the lawsuit.
Investigators also said Florida is violating the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and is infringing on the children’s civil rights by segregating and isolating them. The average length of stay is three years,
The federal government threatened a lawsuit in September if the state failed to make changes to the system,

Health Care Administration Secretary Liz Dudek

but Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Liz Dudek first denied the allegations, then repeatedly stated the problems had been fixed. In the past, Dudek stressed the agency does not limit medically necessary home health services and that parent ultimately decide where to put their children in a nursing home.

State health officials and Attorney General Pam Bondi did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday.
Parents have said they have are desperately fighting to get services to keep their children at home.
“(The state) pressures parents to place parents in institutionalized settings and then give them no way to get out,” said attorney Matthew Dietz, who filed a lawsuit two years ago against the state that mirrors the federal lawsuit.

Pam Bondi

He said the state has not addressed the issue, despite official claims.
The waiting list for services at home or in the community has jumped from 14,629 in 2005 to more than 21,000 in 2012, with more than half waiting longer than five years. Currently, state policy does not give priority on the waiting list to children in nursing homes, federal officials said.
At the same time, the state turned down nearly $40 million in federal funds for a program that transitions people from nursing homes back into the community. The state has also been paying community-based providers less, reducing payments by 15 percent last year because of legislative budget cuts. Yet the state implemented policies that expanded nursing home care by offering facilities a $500 enhanced daily rate for caring for children, which is more than double than what the state pays for adults, according to federal investigators.
EARLIER: The U.S. Justice Department is suing Florida, saying the state is unnecessarily keeping hundreds of disabled children in nursing homes.
According to the lawsuit filed Monday, federal officials visited six nursing homes around the state and identified roughly 200 children who didn’t need to be there and could receive care at home.
Federal officials concluded the state has made it difficult for disabled children to get medical services that would allow them to move home. According to the lawsuit, Florida’s system has led to unnecessary segregation and isolation of children, often for years.
The federal government threatened a lawsuit in September if the state failed to make changes to the system.
State health officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Check back at HeraldTribune.com for more on this developing story.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20130722/WIRE/130729914/2416/NEWS?Title=UPDATE-U-S-sues-Florida-over-disabled-children-in-nursing-homes

Investigators Turn Up More Conflict of Interest at Florida AG Bondi’s Office

In New York we see elites attacking the Attorney General for doing his job. In Florida, however, there’s a different dynamic going on.


June Clarkson and Theresa Edwards,



I’ve written about June Clarkson and Theresa Edwards, the two foreclosure fraud investigators at the state Attorney General’s office fired for being too competent in their investigations. This appeared to be a US Attorney-like scandal at the state level, but I wasn’t hopeful that much would come of it. Boy, was I wrong. The news media in Florida picked up on this and wouldn’t let go. Set against a backdrop of a foreclosure crisis, firing the people closest to getting at the corruption and fraud resonated sharply against the Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and her staff. Bondi, after making nods toward defending the decision, then initiated an outside investigation into the firing. And that still wasn’t enough to satiate the press. This is a devastating article from the Orlando Sentinel a couple days ago:



Attorney General Pam Bondi


Eight months after she took office as a first-time elected official, Attorney General Pam Bondi is facing a management crisis replete with allegations of old-fashioned political interference in cases and a revolving door between lawyers and the companies they investigate.
An outside investigator is looking into the circumstances surrounding the May firings of foreclosure fraud investigators June Clarkson and Theresa Edwards. This week, another investigator abruptly resigned after giving the media a 16-page memo noting that two other high-profile lawyers in the attorney general’s office had taken jobs with companies under investigation, and accusing top management of interfering in an investigation of a prominent Tampa car dealership [...]
The latest blast came from Andrew Spark, who resigned from Bondi’s Tampa economic crimes office and said in a 16-page, memo that he was speaking out because the public deserved “fair and honest government, independent of personal connections and powerful interests.”



Bill McCollum

 He complained that two top lawyers, former assistant attorney general Joe Jacquot and former Economic Crimes Division Director Mary Leontakianakos, had both taken jobs with foreclosure companies under state investigation, Jacksonville-based Lender Processing Services and the Law Offices of Marshall C. Watson in Fort Lauderdale. Both had worked for Bondi’s predecessor, Bill McCollum, who lost a primary bid for governor last fall.
Jacquot said Friday he had avoided any involvement in the investigation into LPS months before taking a job with the company, and is legally banned from representing the company before his old office. Leontakianakos, a 25-year veteran of four administrations, was hired this summer by the Watson law firm two months after it reached a $2 million settlement with the AG’s office. She said Friday she cleared the job with the state Ethics Commission and made certain the investigation into the Watson firm was closed before she interviewed for the job.

So not only were Clarkson and Edwards fired for, among other things, pursuing investigations against LPS, but other lawyers at the AGs office were JOINING LPS after they settled with the state.
Some of Bondi’s other troubles concern an adverse judicial ruling that really undercuts her consumer protection responsibilities. And that’s just garden-variety ideology trumping the law. But even in that case, Bondi’s office declined to appeal the ruling to the state Supreme Court, apparently preferring to tie their own hands.
The pressure is on Pam Bondi. I didn’t think that, in this environment, she would go the way of Alberto Gonzales. But with an independent investigation sure to produce more revelations, it’s certainly possible.

UPDATE: The Sentinel article made it sound like Bondi’s office settled with LPS, but their only settlement as it relates to foreclosure fraud was a $2 million deal with the Law Offices of Marshall C. Watson, a foreclosure mill law firm.

By: David Dayen Monday August 15, 2011 6:55 am

http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/08/15/investigators-turn-up-more-conflict-of-interest-at-florida-ag-bondis-office/

Top 10 Reasons Not To Live In Florida If You Have Children

 

Governor Rick Scott





 Number 1 Governor Rick Scott is a crook and has not upheld his oath of office. He is the ultimate person in charge of DCF and has been made aware of the situation and has refused to investigate.

Number 2 David Wilkins has not upheld his oath of office and does not protect our children, he is not looking for changes he is looking for more money.



DCF Secretary David Wilkins





Left Robin Jensen Right Brena Slater





Number 3  is a tie to the two wonderful ladies in the picture. Robin K Jensen and Brena Slater. They claim to have the best interest of children in mind but seem to enjoy using their position of power to rip families apart.



Number 4  Judge James S Parker, a Judge and has not upheld his oath, his conflict of interest, and abuse of power is legendary.



Pam Bondi



Number 5  Pam Bondi covers up for Department Children and Families, protecting the best interest of the state not the families.










Chief Kevin Vespia






Number 6  Chief Kevin Vespia for not protecting the citizens of North Port Fl from illegal search and seizure. He swore to defend the Florida and State Constitution and last time I check both had amendments protecting citizens.

Number 7  Department Children and Families take children that do not need to be removed, place them in abusive foster care or leave children in homes where abuse is rampant. (don't believe me? Google FL DCF horror stories, be prepared to be heart broken)









Dr Sohail Punjwani

 Number 8  Sohail Punjwani,University of Karachi’s Dow Medical College, Pakistan

Crimes against children, over medicated and using drugs not approved for children in foster care and DCF in Florida, leading to the death of several children and  driving under the influence and cocaine possession. Still employed by DCF.

Number 9 Over the past six years, 41 percent of all children who died of abuse or neglect in Florida had been the subject of at least one prior contact with child protection authorities, the state Department of Health reports. The average for all other states: about 12 percent.



Carl Littlefield

 Number 10 Carl Littlefield abruptly resigned before he could testify in front of a Senate panel about a Tampa-area group home that allowed residents to have sex. He then received a new appointment "It's a newly created job for Littlefield" with  Tampa office of the Department of Children and Families. Scott appointed him to work for children.







Influential Florida Blogger Calls On Governor Rick Scott To Reopen Honor Killing Case



Tricky Ricky

 Florida's most influential and powerful blog, The Shark Tank, has taken up the call for justice in the cover-up of the honor killing of Fatima Abdullah. Javier Manjarres is calling upon Governor Rick Scott to call for a special investigation in the murder of Muslim woman in Florida.

Tampa Police and the Medical Examiners office ruled Fatima Abdallah's honor killing a "suicide," saying she beat her own head against a coffee table until she died. Tampa Rescue called the TPD explanation illogical and said that she looked as if someone beat her to death. There was a history of systematic abuse by her family. Fatima was quoted as telling a neighbor that her brother did "unspeakable things to her."
We continue to search for one decent human being with integrity in a position to investigate -- to do the right thing. We contacted Doug Culbertson of the FDLE, Medical Examiners Commission. He passed the buck.  A well-placed source in the medical examiner's department  told me that a number of people had expressed grave concern at Laura Hair's decision to classify the death of Fatima Abdallah as a suicide, and thanked us profusely for holding a rally and for demanding


Mark Ober State Attorney




We called on Mark Ober, State Attorney,  Karen Stanley, Chief Assistant State Attorney, Bob Buckhorn, Mayor of Tampa, Santiago Corrada,  Tampa Mayor Chief of Staff, but they hid under their desks.
We rallied and protested.
We asked Dr. Vernard Adams, Chief Medical Examiner in the Hillsborough County Medical Examiners office (the office that called Fatima's death an accidental suicide) to re-examine the overwhelming evidence of murder. We asked the Medical Examiners commission to investigate, but Glenn Hopkins of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Medical Examiner's Commission refused to reopen or rexamine the manner of death. They, too, silently sanctioned the sharia (whatever happened to first do no harm?). Over 4,000 concerned citizens sent emails urging the Tampa Police Department and State Attorney Mark Ober to reopen this case. These officials have ignored the public outcry because it is politically expedient and sharia compliant to cover up the potential Islamic cultural involvement.
Hundreds asked Pam Bondi to get involved.
We rallied and protested.


Pam Bondi

 A Tampa Police CSI tech admits that there was a “fear of Muslim reprisal” in the woman’s death. Tampa Police Crime Scene Technician Shelby Garman requested that her name be removed from the Tampa Police Department GO report because of “fear of Muslim reprisal.”  Click here to read the private investigator’s report.
We need an an outside investigation of local officials. In order to get that ball rolling, please contact Governor Rick Scott's  Office. The Governor has the power to appoint what is known as a special prosecutor to investigate criminal allegations outside a state attorney's normal circuit when there are concerns about possible conflicts of interest. The Governor can also direct the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to perform special investigations and investigations on public officials and agencies. Please write, and cc me at PamelaGeller@gmail.com.

The Honorable Rick Scott
Executive Office of the Governor
The Capitol
400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0001
Citizen Services Hotline: (850) 488-4441
Executive Office of the Governor Switchboard: (850) 488-7146
Fax:  (850) 487-0801
Website:  http://www.flgov.com/
Email: http://www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/email-the-governor/

We welcome and applaud Javier Manjarres' involvement and call for justice:

Sharia Honor Killing Case Swept Under the Rug by Javier Manjarres and Pamela Geller, Shark Tank

 If Florida law enforcement agencies are reluctant to investigate and aggressively pursue charges in the context of honor killings for fear of reprisal, it means that we are effectively being governed by the vile precepts of Sharia that these command honor killings.  Our communities should stand united, break through the silent complicity of family members that too often attends these killings, and pursue justice.
Attorney General Pam Bondi’s attention was also solicited on this case, and her office issued the following reply-

We understand that you are requesting an investigation of “the Tampa Police Department and Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s office.”  If you are requesting an outside investigation of local officials, you may wish to contact the Governor’s Office.  The Governor has the power to appoint what is known as a special prosecutor to investigate criminal allegations outside a state attorney’s normal circuit when there are concerns about possible conflicts of interest.  The Governor may also direct the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to perform special investigations and investigations on public officials and agencies. 
 Upon reviewing the crime scene investitgation images, it was obvious the injuries Abdallah sustained to her face and head, not to mention the broken rib(s) that was not a ‘suicide-by-coffee-table’, but a murder case that needs to be reopened. Also in reviewing the notes and documents regading the case, it was also troubling to learn that the of the 5 family members present, it took all of them 2 1/2 hours before they called 911, and then gave conflicting stories as to what happened to Fatima.

With all of the evidence in the case pointing towards murder and not towards an accident or suicide, pressure must be brought on Florida authorities to revisit the determination that he 48 year-old Abballahs’ death was an “accidental suicide” and to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice.  As it presently stands, this case can only be reopened by Governor Rick Scott via a special prosecutor.  We strongly urge Governor Scott to review this case and order an investigation into the highly questionable conclusions that have been reached thus far by the various branches of Florida law enforcement.

Read the whole thing here.

• More Corruption and Fear in Fatima Abdallah Honor Killing Cover
• Florida Medical Examiners Commission ... - Atlas Shrugs
• Fatima Abdallah Honor Killing Cover-up: Complaint ... - Atlas Shrugs
• Honor Killing? Initial Investigation of Death of Fatima Abdallah ...
• Rifqa Bary Link to Fatima Abdallah Honor Killing ... - Atlas Shrugs
• “Justice for Fatima” Protest June 10th, Tampa Florida – Stand ...
• Another US Honor Killing? Muslim Woman's Death Ruled Accident ...

http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/10/influential-florida-blogger-cals-on-governor-rick-scott-to-reopen-honor-killing-case.html