Speakers Announced - Society Gone Mad 2- Webinar - 4th Annual Societal Violence Training - 09/30/20 - Crime Commission

 

The Good Men Project - October 9, 2016 by Mark Rubinstein Mark Rubinstein, M.D., an award-winning novelist, a physician and psychiatrist, is the author of a non-fiction book, Bedlam’s Door: True Tales of Madness and Hope Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity: Getting Away with Murder? https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity-getting-away-with-murder-wcz/

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"Society Gone Mad 2" 4th Annual Societal Violence Webinar Wednesday, September 30th, 2020  8:20 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Zoom Webinar Room will Open as Early as 7:30 am for Assistance 3.5 Continuing Education Training Hours Pending Law Enforcement, Corrections, Psychologists, Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Mental Health Counselors, EMS, Nurses, Physicians & Attorneys (More Details Below) Critical Thinking Solutions in Crime

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AGENDA: Sign-in/Login - 7:30 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. Opening Comments:-8:20 a.m. to 8:25 a.m. Panel I - Emotions and Legalities of Stand Your Ground and Self- Defense - 8:25 a.m. to 9:25 a.m A. Shahabudeen Khan, Associate Dean of International Programs & Professor of Law, Nova Southeastern University Law School B.Mark Seiden, Law Offices of Mark Seiden C. Mas Ayoob, Massad Ayoob Group D. Dr. William Dorfman. Psychologist MODERATOR: James DePelisi, Director/CEO, Broward County Crime Commission Presentation/Interview: The Role of Anger in Criminal Behavior - 9:25 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.   A. Dr. Janice Harper, Anger and Agression Specialist B. James DePelisi, Director/CEO, Broward County Crime Commission Break - 10:15 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.  Panel II - Insanity Defense - Are people getting away with murder?! - 10:20 a.m to 11:20 a.m. A. Ms. Shari Tate, Assistant Prosecutor in Charge, Homicide Unit, Broward County State Attorney's Office B. Ms. Carey Houghwout, Public Defender, Palm Beach County Public Defender's Office C. Mark Shotwell, Retired Homicide Detective, Fort Lauderdale Police Department D. Dr. Paul Bryan, Forensic Psychologist   MODERATOR: Dr. Michael Brannon, Institute for Behavioral Sciences and the Law Presentation II - Battered Women that Kill - 11:20 a.m .to 12:15 p.m.  Dr. Ryan Hall, Forensic Psychiatrist To Register Please Visit www.BrowardCrime.org CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS: Mental Health Professionals: 3.5 CEU Credits Pending Provided for Mental Health Professionals, Florida Psychological Association (FPA) The Florida Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Florida Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.   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 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 and Respiratory Therapists: 3 Contact Hours Emergency Medical Services (EMS): 3 Contact Hours, Memorial Healthcare System is an approved provider of Nurses, Respiratory Therapist and EMS continuum education. The COVID-19 Webinar is for 3 Nursing and Respiratory contact hours and EMS personnel is for 3 contact hours. Attorneys/Lawyers: 3 CLE Hours: Physicians: 3 Hours Accreditation Memorial Healthcare System is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.   Credit Memorial Healthcare System designates this live activity for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.   Disclosure In accordance with the Standards for Commercial Support issued by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), Memorial Healthcare System resolves all conflicts of interest to ensure CME activities are free of commercial bias. Program Director, Speakers and Planning Committee Members have indicated that they have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests. Check Out Our VideoTestimonials! For More Information, Visit www.browardcrime.org or Please Call Hope #754-423-1976 or Email Hope@BrowardCrime.Org  If you can't attend, register and be emailed the replay "Evil Triumphs When Good People Stand Idly By"

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City of Miami Beach

BTR Renewal Process Lessening the Economic Hardship for Local Businesses

Dear Business Owner,   Understanding the widespread financial impacts local businesses have endured as a result of the global pandemic, the City of Miami Beach is providing a relief to businesses by modifying the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Business Tax Receipt (BTR) renewal process.   The following measures have been adopted to: alleviate the stress caused by the business closures due to the Covid-19 epidemic; and, provide an economic recovery tool for local businesses.   FY 2021 BTR Renewal Plan Extending the current FY 2020 BTR expiration dates from September 30, 2020 to December 31, 2020 (giving businesses an additional three months of economic recovery). Splitting the FY 2021 BTR renewal into two payments and extending the due dates. Payment 1 Due: December 31, 2020 (1/2 of the renewal) Payment 2 Due: March 31, 2021 (1/2 of the renewal)   With this plan your current BTR is extended by three months, with no payment due for your FY 2021 BTR until December 31, 2020.   We invite you to visit our city website and view our “Business Resource Toolbox” and “Industry Resources” at https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/reopening/ for additional information.

Happy Constitution Day!

 

Important Updates from U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos

Dear Friends,   233 years ago today, our Founders altered the course of history, authoring the greatest political document ever. Now, more than ever, we are reminded of the challenge posed to us when they gave us the Constitution: “a republic if you can keep it.” Today, too many young people don’t know about what’s in our Constitution nor that our country is a revolutionary experiment of self-governance—one that guarantees the rights of all Americans. I’m at George Washington’s Mount Vernon today to encourage more parents and teachers to share and to teach our Constitution so our rising generation can learn about and learn from history in order to form “a more perfect union.” Our Constitution’s words and original meaning are ripe for rediscovery. So, let us recommit ourselves, today and every day, to learning about, celebrating and honoring our founding document. Happy Constitution Day! Secretary Betsy DeVos

¿Alguien te dijo que pagues con tarjetas de regalo? Es una estafa

 11 de septiembre de 2020

por 

Traci Armani

Especialista en Educación del Consumidor, FTC

Quizás alguien te dijo que te ganaste la lotería, un premio o un sorteo. O alguien que dice que trabaja para el gobierno te informa que hay un problema con tu número de Seguro Social. Y que para cobrar tu premio o resolver tu problema, tienes que pagar con tarjetas de regalo. Pero la verdad es que todo aquel insista en que pagues con tarjetas de regalo siempre es un estafador.

Aprende más mirando este video sobre cómo evitar las estafas con tarjetas de regalo y cómo reportarlas.

Además, para estar seguro de saber cómo evitar las trampas, lee acerca de los pagos a estafadores con tarjetas de regalo.

Si le pagaste a un estafador con una tarjeta de regalo, infórmaselo de inmediato a la compañía que expidió la tarjeta. Cuando te comuniques con la compañía, diles que la tarjeta de regalo se usó en una estafa. Y luego reporta el incidente ante la FTC. Recuerda que tienes que guardar la tarjeta de regalo y el recibo de compra y tenerlos a mano cuando te comuniques con la compañía y con la FTC.

Para mantenerte actualizado acerca de las estafas que podrían afectar a tu comunidad, suscríbete para recibir las alertas para consumidores de parte de la FTC.

Detecta y frena a los recaudadores de fondos deshonestos de organizaciones de caridad

16 de septiembre de 2020

por 

Rosario Méndez

Abogada, División de Educatión del Consumidor y los Negocios, FTC

¿Qué es peor que una organización de caridad falsa? Una organización de caridad falsa con un recaudador de fondos deshonesto. Eso es lo que observamos en un caso anunciado hoy contra Outreach Calling, Inc., su fundador Mark Gelvan y otros.

Los demandados de este caso de la FTC son recaudadores de fondos que llamaron a millones de estadounidenses en nombre de organizaciones de caridad falsas. Los mencionados declararon que las organizaciones de caridad para las que recaudaban fondos entregaban paquetes de provisiones a veteranos de Vietnam necesitados, ayudaban a sobrevivientes del cáncer de mama y daban subsidios a familiares de oficiales caídos en cumplimiento de servicio, entre otras cosas. Pero estos recaudadores de fondos se quedaron con el 90% o más de las donaciones que obtuvieron. Las organizaciones de caridad falsas gastaron la mayoría de su parte en los salarios de sus fundadores y sus familiares o en otros costos administrativos.

El acuerdo resolutorio alcanzado hoy impone una prohibición contra los demandados que les impide realizar actividades de recaudación de fondos con fines de caridad. ¿Pero cómo puedes saber si un recaudador de fondos de una organización de caridad te dice la verdad cuando llama? Algunas recomendaciones:

Hazle preguntas específicas a la persona que te llama:

¿Cuál es el nombre, número de teléfono o domicilio de la organización de caridad? Anota estos datos para poder confirmarlos después. Ten en cuenta que hay muchos nombres de organizaciones de caridad que suenan parecido.

¿Qué parte de tu donación se destinará directamente a los programas que deseas apoyar?

¿Tu donación será deducible de impuestos? No todas las llamadas para pedir donaciones son de organizaciones de caridad. Algunas llamadas podrían ser de Comités de Acción Política u otros grupos cuyas donaciones no son deducibles. Consulta más preguntas haciendo clic aquí.

Resiste la presión de hacer una donación en el momento. Después de escuchar a la persona que te llame, cuelga el teléfono y piensa en lo que te dijo. Luego, haz tu propia búsqueda en internet:

Busca ingresando el nombre y número de teléfono de la organización y agrega la palabra “scam” o “complaint”, si haces la búsqueda en español, agrega palabras como "estafa" o "queja". Los resultados podrían ayudarte a decidir si deseas hacer esa donación.

Busca el nombre y domicilio de la organización. ¿Lo puedes encontrar? Si esos datos no aparecen, podrías tomarlo como un indicio de que la persona que te llamó estaba mintiendo.

Fíjate en lo que dicen las organizaciones de calificación sobre esa entidad de caridad: BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch y GuideStar.

Si recibes un pedido de donación por correo, investiga un poco en línea antes de donar. Y si detectas una estafa de caridad, repórtala a la FTC en ftc.gov/queja.

FTC Joins Four States in Action to Shut Down Alleged Sham Charity Funding Operation That Bilked Millions From Consumers

 

FTC Joins Four States in Action to Shut Down Alleged Sham Charity Funding Operation That Bilked Millions From Consumers Settlements will permanently prohibit defendants from charity fundraising business, require them to pay back money for use by legitimate charities A sprawling fundraising operation that allegedly scammed consumers out of millions of dollars will be permanently banned from charitable fundraising along with its owner and others involved in its operation as a result of a lawsuit brought by the Federal Trade Commission and Attorneys General of New York, Virginia, Minnesota, and New Jersey. The operation is made up of multiple companies all under the control of owner Mark Gelvan, along with his associates Thomas Berkenbush, William English, and Damian Muziani. The complaint filed by the FTC and the states alleges that the defendants served as the primary fundraisers for a number of sham charities that were the subject of numerous law enforcement actions. The complaint alleges that the sham charities claimed to use consumers’ donations to help homeless veterans, retired and disabled law enforcement officers, breast cancer survivors, and others in need. In fact, these organizations spent almost none of the donations on the promised activities. “This action puts fundraisers on notice:  the FTC will not only shut down sham charities, it will aggressively pursue their fundraisers who participate in the deception,” said Andrew Smith, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “If you’re giving to charity and want to make sure your donations count, start at ftc.gov/charity to learn how to spot the scams.” “It is critically important that donors are able to trust that their contributions are being used as they intended, and not to line the pockets of individuals who exploit the generosity of others,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James. “My office will continue to work with partners such as the FTC and other states to take action that protects donors and charitable entities.” The complaint alleges that as much as 90 percent of the money raised by the defendants for these sham charities went to the defendants themselves as payment for their fundraising services. What little money the charities did receive was rarely spent on any of their supposedly charitable missions, sometimes less than two percent. According to the complaint, the defendants orchestrated the sham charities’ fundraising operations by soliciting donations, writing fundraising materials, and providing other key support to the sham charities. Defendants placed calls misrepresenting how donations would be used, and in many instances, the calls violated consumers’ do-not-call requests. The defendants in the case, who have worked with each other for as long as 30 years, have been subject to numerous law enforcement actions dating back as far as 1996. Under the proposed settlements, all of the defendants will be permanently prohibited from participating in any charity fundraising, and from deceiving consumers in any other fundraising effort, including for political action committees (PACs). The defendants will be required to clearly inform consumers at the time they ask for money that any donations are not charitable and not eligible for tax deductions. In addition, the defendants will be subject to significant monetary judgments and required to surrender assets as follows: Gelvan, Outreach Calling, Inc., Outsource 3000, Inc., and Production Consulting Corp.: These defendants will be subject to a monetary judgment of $56,023,481, which is partially suspended based on their inability to pay. The corporate defendants will be required to surrender $45,386. Gelvan will be required to surrender $800,000, and will be required to sell two New Jersey properties he has a stake in and surrender any net proceeds of those sales. Damian Muziani: Muziani will be subject to a monetary judgment of $484,172, which is partially suspended due to his inability to pay. He will be required to surrender $12,369. Thomas Berkenbush: Berkenbush will be subject to a monetary judgment of $1,132,155, which is partiall suspended due to his inability to pay. He will be required to surrender $5,000. William English: English will be subject to a monetary judgment of $873,293, which is partially suspended due to his inability to pay. He will be required to surrender $30,000. The terms of his settlement also prohibit him from participating in any fundraising activity of any kind. The funds being surrendered by the defendants will be paid to the State of New York, which will contribute the funds on behalf of New York, Virginia, and New Jersey to legitimate charities that perform services that mirror those promised by the sham charities. In the event any of the defendants either fails to surrender the amounts they owe or is found to have misrepresented their ability to pay, the full amount of their judgment would become payable immediately. The Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaint and stipulated final orders was 3-0-2, with Commissioners Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Christine S. Wilson recorded as not participating. The FTC filed the complaint and final orders in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the named defendants are violating or are about to violate the law and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. Stipulated final orders have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge. The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources. Contact Information Contact For Consumers: Consumer Response Center 877-382-4357 Media Contact: Jay Mayfield Office of Public Affairs 202-326-2656

Save your Seat! Free Arts Advocacy Series 2020

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¿Eres elegible para la condonación de deudas de Online Training Academy?

 15 de septiembre de 2020

por 

Cristina Miranda

División de Educación del Consumidor y Negocios, FTC

En febrero de este año, escribimos acerca de Online Training Academy (OTA), una compañía que promocionó un programa de capacitación “patentado” prometiendo ayudar a la gente a ganar grandes sumas de dinero pagando  grandes sumas de dinero a OTA por programas de capacitación que llegaban a costar tanto como $50,000. Las declaraciones de OTA con respecto a ingresos prodigiosos solían estar acompañadas de un estímulo para que la gente se endeudara para pagar los programas de capacitación de OTA. Hoy, te contamos acerca de un acuerdo que podría significar un montón de dinero en concepto de condonación para algunas personas con deudas de consumidores adeudadas a OTA.

El acuerdo anunciado hoy significa que OTA ha aceptado resolver las alegaciones de la FTC con respecto al uso de declaraciones falsas o infundadas sobre ingresos y otras declaraciones relacionadas para vender sus programas de capacitación. Bajo los términos del acuerdo, la compañía no puede efectuar declaraciones sobre la cantidad de dinero que puede ganar la gente que tome su capacitación, a menos que pueda fundamentar la veracidad de esas declaraciones y fundamentarlas con evidencias. Tampoco puede referirse a sus vendedores como “consejeros de educación” y debe aclarar que se les paga en base a una comisión. Además, OTA no puede usar contratos que limiten la capacidad de un consumidor de hablar con la FTC u otras agencias a cargo del cumplimiento de la ley acerca de OTA y sus programas, o que impidan publicar comentarios honestos en línea.

Cabe destacar que OTA ha aceptado condonar las deudas de consumidores adeudadas por algunas personas que compraron y financiaron programas de capacitación de OTA y eliminar las deudas de sus informes de crédito dentro de los 60 días. Las personas elegibles para la condonación de deudas recibirán una carta y un email de parte de los demandados de OTA explicando el proceso de condonación de deudas. Si tienes una deuda con los demandados empresariales de OTA (OTA Franchise Corporation, NEH Services, Inc., o Newport Exchange Holdings, Inc.), y estás interesado en obtener una condonación, está atento a la llegada del email y la carta, léelos atentamente y sigue los pasos para comunicarte con OTA para conseguir que te condonen la deuda. 

¿Quieres consultar más información sobre la posibilidad de una condonación de deuda y actualizaciones sobre el acuerdo? La FTC tiene una página con más información que sería conveniente que marques como favorita para acceder a la información más actualizada sobre este acuerdo.

Y recuerda, todo programa o seminario de inversión que se promocione diciendo que puedes ganar mucho dinero en poco tiempo es una estafa. Reporta estas estafas ante la FTC en ftc.gov/queja y consulta recomendaciones sobre cómo protegerte leyendo Seminarios de inversiones y oportunidades de negocio.