Operation Snake Oil - Case Study- A Corrupt Pain Clinic Organization conspired to distribute large amounts of Opioids, without a legitimate medical purpose, Drugged to Death Conference- 3-31-20- Palm Beach Track

7th Annual Narcotics Conference "Drugged to Death" As Part of the Broward County Crime Commission Building Bridges Mental Health Conference Series 6 CEU Hours Provided (See Below) Critical Thinking Solutions in Crime Tuesday, March 31st, 2020 South County Civic Center 16700 Jog Rd, Delray Beach, FL 33446 Sign in/Breakfast Begins at 8:30am Program 9:00am to 3:20pm Lunch Included To Register Please Visit www.BrowardCrime.Org AGENDA 8:30 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. -  Sign - In    8:50 a.m. to 9:00 a.m . - Opening Comments    9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m - Panel 1 - “Blow by Blow”- The Real Life Undercover Operation and Arrest of Infamous Cocaine Smuggler George Jung (As portrayed by Johnny Depp in the 2001 motion picture, "Blow"). Hear Veteran Under-Cover Agents Explain the Techniques and Strategies Used for Arresting One of the Most Notorious Drug Traffickers in the History of Law Enforcement.    Panel One Participants: A. Mike McManus, Retired Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Broward County Crime Commission Advisory Board B. Retired Judge, Eileen O’Connor, Retired Circuit Court Judge and Retired Assistant United States Attorney, Department of Justice (DOJ) C. Theresa Van Vliet, Esq., Genovese Joblove & Battista, P.A., Retired Assistant United States Attorney, Department of Justice (DOJ) D. Tom Tiderington, Chief of Police, Plymouth Township Police Department, Retired Narcotics Detective, Fort Lauderdale Police Department Have you ever seen the movie Blow? Meet the undercover Law Enforcement participants, and the Federal Prosecutor, who took part in arresting notorious drug trafficker George Jung, the man who established the American cocaine market in the 1970’s. For several months, these brave undercover agents, and police officers, worked covertly as an associate of Jung. Jung was prepared to "walk away" from the "life",but wanted to do one last "drug-run". Hear a firsthand account of the strategies and techniques used by veteran under-cover agents to establish credible, trustworthy, competent, and information producing informants. .   10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. – Panel 2 – “ From Pill Mills to the Street” – How Florida Sparked a U.S. Heroin and Fentanyl Crisis - Florida "Pill Mills" were the "Gas on the Fire" Which Led to the Current Street Level epidemic of Heroin and Fetanyl. What has changed? Is the same thing happening all over again? Panel Two Participants: A Janet Colbert, CEO/Author, STOPPNow B. Agnes Winokur, Associate Laboratory Director, DEA/Southeast Laboratory C. Susan Langston, Diversion Program Manager, DEA Miami Field Division D. Dr. Bernd; Wolschlager; Aventura Family Health Center E. Pat Beall, Investigative Investigative Reporter, Palm Beach Post F. Captain Rich Diberardino, Narcotics Division, Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office (PBSO),   In 2010, some 90 percent of the Oxycontin prescriptions in the U.S. were written in Florida, where “pill mills” were springing up at record rates. Overdose deaths were skyrocketing, and the state had become a magnet for addicts from all around the country. The next year, reacting to public outcry, the state cracked down on pain clinics prescribing opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone. Now, five years later, pain pill abuse is down, but heroin use has soared. And the resurgence of heroin, a street drug with a sinister reputation, has led some to ask if the crackdown actually made things worse. Moreover, are the cycle getting getting ready to start all over again? 10:45 a.m. to 10:55 a.m. – BREAK   10:55 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. - Panel 3 -The Spike of Meth (amphetamine) Related Deaths in Florida (and the United States). The Overdose Dangers, and Neurological Brain disorders, are Unprecedented. Panel Three Participants: A. Ernesto Garay; Intelligence Collection Officer, Drug Enforcement Administration B. Jose Ramirez, Special Agent Supervisor, Florida Department of Law Enforcemen C. Eliezer Gonzalez, Lieutentant Commander, United States Coast Guard D Al Ortenzo, Retired Assistant Police Chief, Fort Lauderdale Police Department; Broward County Crime Commission Advisory Board E. Captain Rich Diberardino, Narcotics Division, Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) F. Scott Horne, Team Leader, United States Postal Inspector (USPIS) Meth users may be adding heroin to the mix to create an equally powerful but dangerous combination known as the "Goofball" drug, according to the CDC. Some may be using stimulants and opioids at different times to manage their highs. The overdose Dangers and neurological brain disorders are unprecedented.     MODERATOR: Andy Slater, Assistant State Attorney, Palm Beach State Attorney’s Office     11:40 a.m. to Noon – LUNCH BREAK   Noon to 12:45 p.m. -Luncheon Presentation Case Study - Counter-Narcotic Cyber Investigations Task Force - Dark Web, Internet, and Other Electronic Means LUNCHEON KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Austin Love, Counter-Narcotic Cyber Investigations Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Hear a presentation of how and why illicit Drug Dealers are targeting children via the Dark Web, Internet and other Electronic measures.   12:45 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. – BREAK    1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. - One-on-One Discussion Case Study – Operation Snake Oil Redux Discussion Participants: A. Mr. James DePelisi, Director/CEO, Broward County Crime Commission B. Ms. Sara Cogdill, Community Sobriety Advocate Through falsifying patients' urine tests (and false MRI's), a corrupt doctor and pain clinic organization conspired to distribute and dispense large amounts of oxycontin and oxycodone, without a legitimate medical purpose, and outside the usual course of professional practice. Hear the account of the corruption and patient predatory practices which occurred and accounted for dispensing more than 660,000 dosage units of opiate drugs, in amounts greater than 1.4 million milligrams, and prescribing significantly more oxycodone filled by outside pharmacies to patients throughout Florida and other states. The assailants marketed their pain clinics through more than 1,600 Internet sites. The opiate drugs obtained from these clinics were sold on the street and shipped outside the State of Florida at a substantial profit. 1:45 p.m. to 1:55 p.m. - BREAK   1:55 p.m. to 2:40 p.m.– Panel 4 - The Florida Shuffle - The On-Going Cycle of Recovery, Patient Brokering, and Relapse Panel Four Participants: A. Ms. Sara Cogdill; Community Sobriety Advocate B. Dr. Lawrence Model; Family Physician and Addiction Specialist C. Ms. Christine Stapleton; Investigative Reporter, Palm Beach Post D. James Edwards, Mid-Coast Area, Narcotics Anonymous E. Al Johnson, Chief Assistant State Attorney, Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office F. Timothy G. Curtin, Administrative Community Director, Memorial Healthcare System Federal laws such as the Affordable Care Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act are being exploited by unscrupulous individuals who profit off of the misery and addiction of others with intentional never-ending treatment plans. Although there are many good drug treatment and sober living providers, the rogue rehab and sober home owners encourage relapse over recovery, to make illicit money through insurance fraud, patient brokering, kickbacks and other illegal activity. This is known as the Florida Shuffle. 2:40 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. – Panel 5 - Solutions Panel - Real Life Success Stories of People Who Have Overcome Addiction with Five or More Years of Sobriety Panel Five Participants: A. Mr. Jiff Feingold B. Mr. Gerry Williams, Esq. C. Mr. Mike Keels D. Mr. Andy Rudick F. Mr. Peter Yurkins Hear from the patients who have persevered! How they battled through the peaks and valleys of recovery, to sustain five or more years of sobriety. What worked and what didn't work. The discipline and devotion that was necessary, and how they turned their lives around!   MODERATOR: Dr Michael Brannon, Co-Director, the Institute for Behavioral Services and the Law CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS:   Mental Health Professionals: 6 CEUs Provided for Mental Health Professionals, Florida Psychological Association (FPA) APPROVED The Florida Psychological Association is approved by the Florida Department of Health, Board of Psychology and Board of School Psychology to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Florida Psychological Association is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling as a provider of continuing education. The Florida Psychological Association maintains responsibility for the program and its content. Nurses, Respiratory Therapists and EMS: Memorial Healthcare System is an approved provider of Nurses, Respiratory Therapist and EMS continuum education. The 7th Annual Narcotics Conference is approved for 5.5 Nursing and Respiratory contact hours and EMS personnel is approved for 6.5 contact hours. Pharmacist: This program has been approved for 6 hours of general CE for pharmacists.   Physicians:   Memorial Healthcare System designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of Memorial Healthcare System and the Broward County Crime Commission. The Memorial Healthcare System is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.  See Our YouTube Channel for Previous Conference Testimonials Check Out Our Videos! For More Information, Visit www.browardcrime.org or Please Call Hope #754-423-1976 or Email Hope@BrowardCrime.Org "Evil Triumphs When Good People Stand Idly By" Visit our website

Dance NOW! Miami in Aventura March 21

Isadora Duncan was an American pioneer of concert dance at the turn of the 20th century, a self-styled revolutionary, whose innovative free-spirited style broke with the dominant rigidity of ballet and led to what is now called modern or contemporary dance. Dance NOW! Miami (DNM), one of the leading companies in Florida, will reconstruct four essential works of Duncan's for their annual Masterpiece In Motion series, at their Program II Contemporanea, along with featuring guest company Italy's Opus Ballet, Saturday, March 21, at 8:30 pm, at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Duncan was chosen this year by Dance Now because it is the centennial celebration of women's suffrage in the United States. "In the era of #MeToo and the renewed struggles world-wide for women's autonomy and freedom to control their own lives, reviving Duncan's groundbreaking work was a perfect choice for our company," said Hannah Baumgarten, Artistic Co-Director of Dance NOW!. Andrea Mantell-Seidel, the past Artistic Director of Miami's Isadora Duncan Dance Ensemble, will be restaging the Duncan pieces with the Dance NOW! company members, performing with guest artist Ivette Sotomayor. Mantell-Seidel is currently the Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Professor Emeritus of Dance at Florida International University. The works are Ave Maria, Harp Etude, and two of Duncan's "Russian Revolutionary Dances," Varshiavianka and Dubinushka. The evening also features guest company Opus Ballet, from Florence, Italy, one of Italy's rising contemporary dance troupes, on their first U.S. tour. They will share the stage as part of the ongoing Dance NOW! Miami Bridges Project. DNM was in residence in Italy and collaborated with Opus Ballet last spring, where they performed the original Bridges NOT Walls. This time both companies will be performing in Opus Ballet's original Caravan, a commentary on the European crisis with migration and culture. "To bring a company from Italy here to South Florida, to partner with them, means so much to me, having been raised in Italy and now having lived here for decades," says Dance Now Miami Co-Artistic Director Diego Salterini. Additional work from each company will round out the program. Click HERE for a video

Traffic Advisory: Upcoming 305 Half Marathon & 5K - 3/1

305 Half Marathon & 5K Sunday, March 1, 2020

This Sunday, March 1, the 305 Half Marathon & 5K will race through Miami Beach. The race will begin at 6:15 a.m. at Ocean Drive and 12 Street. Runners will then proceed north towards the eastbound lanes of the Julia Tuttle Causeway and should be clearing this section by 8:15 a.m. All participants will be off the remaining sections of the course by 10 a.m. and the roads are expected to be reopened by this time. Traffic will be managed by the Miami Beach Police Department who will assist drivers through intersections in between gaps of runner packs. Please plan ahead for some short delays. Click here to view race route and additional information.

Message from the Mayor: Coronavirus and Infuenza Update

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As a City that receives millions of visitors each year, we need to be especially vigilant when it comes to preparation for a health care challenge like the Coronavirus. While there are currently no cases in Miami-Dade County, it would be irresponsible to assume we will be spared. That is why our City has already begun to organize and coordinate with our county, state and federal public health partners. I’m hopeful that our federal partners will respond quickly. Simultaneously, influenza (flu) season is in full swing. In South Florida, flu season peaks from January through the Spring. Symptoms of the Coronavirus are similar to the flu, including cough, fever, congestion, fatigue, respiratory problems and muscle aches. It is, therefore, best to diminish the chance of catching the flu before the Coronavirus spreads further. That can best be done with a flu shot. Please view the flyer with information about free flu shots for children enrolled in Miami Beach Public Schools that our City will be offering in March. Also, please review some useful information for parents about these issues (Coronavirus and the Flu) from Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Please visit the CDC website for more key facts.

Be safe and healthy. Thanks,

Dan.

Razones por las que los contribuyentes deben usar depósito directo para rembolsos de impuestos

Razones por las que los contribuyentes deben usar depósito directo para rembolsos de impuestos

Con la temporada de impuestos a la vuelta de la esquina, los contribuyentes deben estar conscientes de los beneficios de usar depósito directo para los reembolsos. Es fácil, seguro y la manera más rápida de obtener un reembolso de impuestos.

Aquí hay 10 datos acerca del depósito directo.

Es la manera más rápida para los contribuyentes recibir sus reembolsos de impuestos.
Es gratis.
Es seguro.
Los contribuyentes pueden depositar su reembolso en una cuenta o dividirlo entre dos o tres cuentas.
Combinar depósito directo con e-file del IRS es la manera más rápida para los contribuyentes recibir sus reembolsos.
Cuando se usa depósito directo, no hay riesgo de que se le robe o pierda un cheque en papel.
El IRS usa el mismo sistema para depositar reembolsos de impuestos usado por la Administración de Seguro Social y Asuntos de Veteranos para depositar beneficios en millones de cuentas.
Es fácil. Sólo siga las instrucciones en el software de impuestos o en el formulario tributario.
Los contribuyentes pueden usar el depósito directo incluso si presentan en papel.
El depósito directo ahorra dinero a los contribuyentes. Le cuesta al IRS más de $1 por cada cheque de reembolso en papel emitido, pero solo un centavo por cada depósito directo realizado.

Census Can Help Cities Go Green

2020 Census will inform funding for environmental programs, including mass transit, improving infrastructure and sustainability.

America Counts: Stories Behind the Numbers Census Can Help Cities Go Green Cities across the United States striving to reduce their carbon footprints are awaiting results from the 2020 Census to help plan public funding of “green” programs. Reducing a city’s environmental impact is one way census responses can shape the future of critical public services in communities. Responses to the 2020 Census will inform funding for programs such as Federal Transit Capital Investment Grants that can be used for public transportation and Water Pollution Control grants. Communities can use funding from these programs to gear their efforts toward improving infrastructure and sustainability.  Learn More Madison, Wis., is one city eager to finance and potentially expand its public transportation systems after the 2020 Census is completed.   The city intends to pursue a large-scale expansion of local transit with its new Bus Rapid Transit system, or BRT. The system will reduce environmental pollution and result in cleaner air quality, according to the city. Results of 2020 Census responses can influence funding decisions for this project. Continue Reading to learn more about: How the results of 2020 Census responses can influence funding decisions for transit Other environmental programs that rely on census counts Help us spread the word about America Counts. Share this story on social media or forward it to a friend. Share This You May Be Interested In 2020 Census Count Guides Funding of New Roads and Bridges: Billions of dollars in federal funds are spent annually on critical transportation services. The 2020 Census may help decide where roads and bridges are built. Learn More About America Counts America Counts tells the stories behind the numbers in a new inviting way. It features stories on various topics such as families, housing, employment, business, education, the economy, emergency preparedness, and population. Contact our Public Information Office for media inquiries or interviews.

IR-2020-45SP: Guía de la Temporada de Impuestos: herramienta ¿Dónde está mi reembolso? en IRS.gov es la manera más fácil y rápida para verificar el estado de un reembolso

Guía de la Temporada de Impuestos: herramienta ¿Dónde está mi reembolso? en IRS.gov es la manera más fácil y rápida para verificar el estado de un reembolso

WASHINGTON — El Servicio de Impuestos Internos les recuerda hoy a los contribuyentes que la manera más fácil de verificar el estado de un reembolso es a través de la herramienta "¿Dónde está mi reembolso?", disponible en IRS.gov o a través de Ia aplicación móvil IRS2Go.

Este comunicado de prensa es parte de una serie de consejos llamada la Guía de la Temporada de Impuestos, diseñada para ayudar a los contribuyentes al aproximarse la fecha límite del 15 de abril.

A la fecha del 21 de febrero, el IRS ha emitido un promedio de más de 37.4 millones en reembolsos que promedian $3,125 (en inglés).

Si bien la mayoría de los reembolsos de impuestos se emiten dentro de los 21 días, algunos pueden demorar un poco más. Así como cada declaración de impuestos es única e individual, también lo es el reembolso de cada contribuyente. Hay algunas cosas que los contribuyentes deben tener en cuenta si esperan su reembolso, pero escuchan o ven en las redes sociales que otros contribuyentes ya recibieron el suyo.

El IRS trabaja arduamente para emitir reembolsos lo más rápido posible, pero algunas declaraciones de impuestos tardan más en procesarse que otras. Existen muchos factores que afectan la fecha de envío de su reembolso después de que recibamos su declaración. Además, tenga en cuenta el tiempo que le toma a su institución financiera transmitir el reembolso en su cuenta o que lo reciba por correo.

Hay varias razones por las que un reembolso de impuestos puede tomar más tiempo en llegar:

Algunas declaraciones de impuestos requieren revisión adicional.
La declaración puede incluir errores o estar incompleta.
La declaración podría estar afectada por robo de identidad o fraude.
La declaración solicita el Crédito Tributario por Ingreso del Trabajo o Crédito Tributario Adicional por Hijo.
El tiempo entre el IRS para emitir el reembolso y la entrega del banco a la cuenta, ya que muchos bancos no procesan los pagos los fines de semana o días feriados.

El IRS se comunicará con los contribuyentes por correo si se necesita más información para procesar una declaración.

Actualizaciones de reembolso rápidas y fáciles

Los contribuyentes pueden usar "¿Dónde está mi reembolso?" para comenzar a verificar el estado de su declaración dentro de las 24 horas después de que el IRS envía el acuse de recibo de una declaración presentada electrónicamente o cuatro semanas después de que el contribuyente envíe una declaración en papel. El rastreador de la herramienta muestra el progreso a través de tres fases: (1) declaración recibida; (2) reembolso aprobado; y (3) reembolso enviado. Para usarlo, el contribuyente debe ingresar su número de Seguro Social o ITIN, su estado civil y el monto exacto en dólares de su reembolso. El IRS actualiza "¿Dónde está mi reembolso?" una vez al día, generalmente por la noche, por consiguiente, no es necesario verificar con más frecuencia.

Ignore los mitos de reembolsos

Algunos contribuyentes creen erróneamente que pueden acelerar su reembolso si ordenan una transcripción de impuestos, si llaman al IRS o si llaman a su preparador de impuestos. Solicitar una transcripción de impuestos no ayudará al contribuyente a obtener su reembolso más rápido ni a saber cuándo recibirá su reembolso. La información disponible en "¿Dónde está mi reembolso?" es la misma información disponible para los asistentes telefónicos del IRS.

La presentación electrónica y el uso del depósito directo es la manera más rápida y segura de presentar una declaración precisa y recibir un reembolso de impuestos. Se espera que más de cuatro de cada cinco declaraciones de impuestos se presenten electrónicamente, con una proporción similar de reembolsos emitidos mediante depósito directo.

La mayoría de los contribuyentes que desean preparar sus propias declaraciones pueden presentar electrónicamente, de gratis, con Free File del IRS. Alternativamente, los contribuyentes que califican pueden obtener ayuda tributaria gratis de voluntarios capacitados en sitios comunitarios en todo el país.

Los contribuyentes pueden usar varias opciones para encontrar un preparador de impuestos pagado. Un recurso es Elegir un profesional de impuestos (en inglés), que incluye una lista de consejos para el consumidor para seleccionar un profesional de impuestos.

El Directorio de preparadores de declaraciones de impuestos federales con credenciales y calificaciones seleccionadas (en inglés), es una base de datos en la que se puede buscar y ordenar de forma gratuita. Incluye el nombre, la ciudad, el estado y el código postal de los preparadores de declaraciones acreditados que son CPAs, agentes inscritos o abogados, así como aquellos que completaron los requisitos para el Programa Anual de la Temporada de Impuestos (en inglés) del IRS. Una búsqueda en la base de datos puede ayudar a los contribuyentes a verificar las credenciales y calificaciones de los profesionales de impuestos.

Los contribuyentes pueden encontrar respuestas a preguntas, formularios e instrucciones y herramientas fáciles de usar en línea en IRS.gov en cualquier momento. No se requiere cita ni espera en el teléfono.