TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrests of Alexander McKinnie and Kara Morrison in connection with a scheme to defraud Florida’s Medicaid program.

“Medicaid fraud is a clear example of theft from taxpayers,” Uthmeier said. “In Florida, our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit will safeguard public funds and aggressively pursue anyone who exploits these programs.”

An investigation by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit determined that McKinnie submitted tens of thousands of dollars in fraudulent claims for non-emergency medical transportation gas reimbursements for trips that never occurred.

Investigators said McKinnie fraudulently billed Medicaid for more than $65,000 in medical services that were never provided. Morrison assisted in the scheme by submitting approximately $7,000 in false reimbursement claims.

McKinnie is charged with one count of Medicaid provider fraud exceeding $50,000 and one count of organized scheme to defraud. Both charges are first-degree felonies, punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Morrison is charged with one count of Medicaid provider fraud under $10,000 and one count of organized scheme to defraud. Both are third-degree felonies, punishable by up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines.

McKinnie was arrested by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, while Morrison was arrested by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

The cases will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney for Florida’s Eighteenth Judicial Circuit.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — Rep. Berny Jacques has filed legislation aimed at curbing illegal immigration in Florida by restricting access to financial services, housing assistance, and employment for unauthorized immigrants, while imposing stricter penalties on employers.

The proposal, HB 1307, seeks to eliminate what Jacques describes as incentives for illegal immigration and expand accountability for individuals and businesses that employ unauthorized workers.

Restrictions on Financial and Housing Access
HB 1307 would prohibit the Florida Department of Financial Services from issuing licenses to unauthorized immigrants. The bill also bars unauthorized immigrants from obtaining loans, homeownership assistance, or opening bank accounts in Florida.

In addition, the legislation would ban unauthorized immigrants from sending remittances from within the state, further limiting access to financial systems.

Expanded Employer Liability and Penalties
The bill establishes new penalties for employers who knowingly employ unauthorized immigrants. Employers would be held personally and fully liable for injuries sustained by unlawfully employed workers and could be required to reimburse public funds.

Under HB 1307, penalties escalate with repeated violations. A first violation would result in a one-year suspension of all business licenses and a $10,000 fine per violation. A second violation would lead to a five-year license suspension and fines of up to $100,000 per violation. A third violation would result in permanent revocation of licenses and fines of up to $250,000 per violation.

Employers found to employ 50 or more unauthorized immigrants would commit a third-degree felony and face permanent license revocation. The bill also requires employers to verify worker eligibility through the federal E-Verify system before submitting workers’ compensation claims.

Civil Liability and Auto Insurance Provisions
HB 1307 authorizes a civil cause of action against employers if an unauthorized employee causes injury or death to another person. The bill also includes provisions related to auto insurance claims, stating that unauthorized immigrants involved in motor vehicle accidents would be presumed at fault unless clear and convincing evidence demonstrates otherwise.

“We must remove the magnets for illegal migration and hold those who provide those magnets accountable,” Jacques said, urging lawmakers to support the proposal.

The bill will be considered during the upcoming legislative session.