Crimes and Courts

Orange County Bar Association Announces 2022 Professionalism Award Recipients

Published

4 years ago

January 18, 2022

ORLANDO, FL… The Orange County Bar Association (OCBA) is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2022 Professionalism Awards. The James G. Glazebrook Memorial Bar Service Award, the William Trickel, Jr. Professionalism Award, and the Lawrence G. Mathews, Jr. Young Lawyer Professionalism Award recipients, who are nominated by their peers, are attorneys and judges whose conduct and career stands as a model of success built on unquestioned professionalism.

The James G. Glazebrook Memorial Bar Service Award is presented to a state or federal jurist who best demonstrates service to and support of the legal profession and the Legal Aid Society of the OCBA, is dedicated to professionalism both in and out of the courtroom, and is a leader in promoting professionalism, including civility, integrity, and respect for the legal system. The 2022 recipient of the James G. Glazebrook Memorial Bar Service Award is The Honorable Reginald K. Whitehead, Circuit Judge, Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. Judge Whitehead was nominated by the Orange County Bar Association’s Criminal Law Committee and his judicial peers.

Judge Whitehead is a graduate of the University of Florida Levin School of Law and has served as a judge in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court since 1994. He served for a number of years as a judge for the Unified Problem Solving Courts, and served on The Florida Bar Foundation board for 10 years helping to secure grant funding that would build programs that offer legal services and assistance to the poor. Judge Whitehead has served as a mentor to numerous judges, local high school youth, and has taught law students at the FAMU College of Law for the past 14 years. Judge Whitehead has also served as president of 100 Black Men of Greater Orlando for the past five years

The William Trickel, Jr. Professionalism Award is presented to an attorney who has practiced law for 15 or more years. The 2022 recipient of the William Trickel, Jr. Professionalism Award is John Foster, Esq., of the Family Complex Litigation & Collaborative Group.

Mr. Foster has been practicing law for over 40 years, and currently practices exclusively on the resolution of complex divorce and family law cases. He is actively involved in the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar, and serves on the Family Law Section’s Executive Council and Legislation Committee. He has received numerous awards and honors including achieving the highest AV rating by Martindale Hubbell, is a member of the National Advocates “Top 100,” and serves on the Advisory Board of the American Academy of Certified Financial Litigators. Mr. Foster is a graduate of the University of Florida Levin College of Law.

The Lawrence G. Mathews, Jr. Young Lawyer Professionalism Award is presented to an attorney who has practiced law for less than 15 years. The 2022 recipient of the Lawrence G. Mathews, Jr. Young Lawyer Professionalism Award is Michael D. Barber, Esq., of The Law Office of Michael D. Barber.

Mr. Barber is a graduate of the University of Florida Levin College of Law and has been practicing law for over 10 years. He is a solo practitioner and currently practices in the areas of criminal defense, personal injury, home insurance disputes, and education law. In 2016, Mr. Barber was elected to serve on the Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District board, and served as chair from 2019-2022. Mr. Barber has been very active in the Orange County Bar Association including chairing the Criminal Law Committee from 2015-2017 and currently serving on both the Orange County Bar Association Executive Council and as the President of the Young Lawyers Section.

The Orange County Bar Association will hold its annual Professionalism Awards Ceremony on Thursday, March 24, 2022 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Jury Assembly Room of the Orange County Courthouse. For more information or to RSVP visit the Orange County Bar Association’s website at https://www.orangecountybar.org/.

The Orange County Bar Association, established in 1933, is a voluntary association comprised of 3,000+ judges, attorneys, and other legal professionals whose mission is to serve the profession and the public with outstanding member and community programs. The association established and supports the work of the OCBA Foundation, Inc., and the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc.

Crimes and Courts

Florida Creates Public Assistance Fraud Task Force, Appoints Special Prosecutor to Crack Down on Fraud

Published

2 days ago

April 15, 2026

FNN NEWS

Courtesy of the Office of the Attorney General

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — James Uthmeier announced the launch of the Public Assistance Fraud Task Force, a multi-agency initiative aimed at strengthening investigations and prosecutions of fraud involving taxpayer-funded benefit programs.

As part of the effort, Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Scott Strauss has been appointed as special prosecutor to oversee complex, multi-circuit fraud cases and coordinate legal strategies across agencies.

TASK FORCE TO TARGET FRAUD

The task force is designed to provide legal counsel and streamline criminal prosecutions for state agencies and law enforcement, enhancing Florida’s ability to build strong cases against individuals accused of fraud.

“We are launching this task force to bring accountability and prosecute those who are stealing from Floridians,” Uthmeier said. “Florida is not Minnesota or California, and we will safeguard the taxpayers’ investment in the services meant for the vulnerable.”

MULTI-AGENCY COLLABORATION

State leaders emphasized the importance of coordination across agencies to combat increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes.

“Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Uthmeier, Florida has continued to identify, address, and prevent fraud,” said Shevaun L. Harris, secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration. “This multi-agency initiative creates an opportunity to collectively reaffirm that commitment.”

Brad McVay added that protecting taxpayer-funded programs is essential to maintaining public trust.

“Floridians deserve a government that safeguards their taxpayer dollars from fraudsters,” McVay said.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass also stressed enforcement.

“If you commit fraud against public assistance programs, you will be held accountable,” Glass said.

ROLE OF SPECIAL PROSECUTOR

The special prosecutor will evaluate and oversee ongoing multi-circuit investigations, assist in developing cases for prosecution, and support law enforcement with legal tools such as warrants and affidavits.

Kathleen Von Hoene said the initiative will strengthen protections for vulnerable populations.

“Our goal is to protect the public, preserve the integrity of the Medicaid program, and safeguard the populations it serves,” she said.

PROGRAMS AND ENFORCEMENT

Florida’s public assistance programs include Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, housing assistance and reemployment services. Fraud involving these programs can result in criminal charges ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, with penalties including fines, restitution and incarceration.

Law enforcement agencies interested in participating in the task force can contact the Office of Statewide Prosecution for more information.

Central Florida News

Orange County Clerk Hosts Operation Green Light to Help Drivers Reinstate Licenses April 15

Published

5 days ago

April 12, 2026

FNN NEWS

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) — The Orange County Clerk of Courts is continuing its efforts to help residents regain their driving privileges by offering year-round assistance to individuals with suspended licenses due to unpaid traffic tickets or criminal fines.

As part of the initiative, the Clerk’s Office will host Operation Green Light on April 15, 2026, with extended hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Orange County Courthouse, Suite 410.

EVENT OFFERS PATH TO LICENSE REINSTATEMENT

During the one-day event, residents can receive in-person assistance to address outstanding traffic tickets and criminal fines, taking the first step toward reinstating their driver licenses.

Officials say eligible customers may have certain collection agency fees waived, enroll in payment plans and restore their driving privileges once all requirements are met. Affordable down payments will be available; however, standard reinstatement fees will still apply.

No appointment or prior registration is required to participate.

STATEWIDE INITIATIVE EXPANDS ACCESS

Operation Green Light is part of a statewide effort running from April 11 through April 25, 2026, aimed at helping thousands of Floridians resolve overdue fines and get back on the road legally.

The program is designed to reduce financial barriers that often prevent residents from addressing court-related debt and driver license suspensions.

YEAR-ROUND SUPPORT AVAILABLE

Residents who cannot attend the April 15 event can still receive assistance year-round through the Clerk’s Compliance Division, located in Suite 410 of the courthouse.

Staff members are available to help individuals set up payment plans and guide them through the license reinstatement process.

Central Florida News

Bodycam Shows Deputy Shoot Suspect After Taser Fails Outside Walmart, Authorities Say

Published

4 weeks ago

March 19, 2026

Willie David

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) — The Orange County Sheriff’s Office released body-worn camera footage from a deputy-involved shooting involving a suspected shoplifter outside a Walmart store nearly a month after the incident.

Deputies Respond to Armed Shoplifting Call

According to investigators, deputies responded around 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 22, 2026, to a reported shoplifting incident at the Walmart on East Colonial Drive.

A caller told dispatchers a man wearing a black ski mask was attempting to steal merchandise, appeared to have a knife and was declaring “martial law” as he exited the store with a shopping cart full of items.

Bodycam Shows Confrontation Before Shooting

Deputies said a responding deputy encountered the suspect on Colonial Drive near the store pushing a cart loaded with merchandise.

Body-camera footage shows the deputy giving multiple commands for the man to stop. Authorities said the suspect ignored the commands. The deputy then deployed a Taser, but it had no effect.

Shortly afterward, the deputy can be heard warning the suspect at least three times not to reach. Moments later, the deputy fired his service weapon, striking the man.

Deputies on scene secured the suspect and provided first aid before he was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Investigators said two knives were recovered at the scene.

Suspect Identified; Investigation Underway

Authorities identified the suspect as Jason Anthony Beal, 48. He was charged with robbery with a deadly weapon and resisting an officer with violence.

The shooting remains under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which will submit its findings to the State Attorney’s Office for review.

As part of standard protocol, the deputy involved has been placed on temporary paid administrative leave pending the initial FDLE review. The sheriff’s office will also conduct an internal investigation once the state probe is completed.