Fighters from Malhama Tactical, a small organization of private military contractors who are the latest self-proclaimed protectors of oppressed Sunni minorities all over the globe, are the newest such warriors to arrive in Syria. Little is known about their leader, Abu Rofiq, a pseudonym that means “father of Rofiq.” He is apparently a 24-year-old jihadist from Uzbekistan, and many of …
Lawmakers Consider Expanding Workers’ Comp Coverage
Most states other than Florida have workers’ compensation programs that include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder coverage for first responders, and Senator Keith Perry (R-Gainesville) wants the Sunshine State to join the crowd. In the wake of the Pulse Nightclub shooting, many first responders were diagnosed with PTSD because of the horrific scene at the nightclub. Because the current system does …
Authorities Uncover Complicated Workers’ Compensation Fraud Scheme
48-year-old Orquidea Quezada of Orlando will spend the next 18 months in federal prison after she pleaded guilty to a sprawling workers’ compensation fraud scheme that involved an elaborate employee renting arrangement. U.S. District Judge Henry Lee Adams, Jr. also entered a $585,000 money judgement against Ms. Quezada. According to investigators, Orquicely Construction, LLC fabricated payroll records to obtain various …
DynCorp Receives $26 Million Contract
Even as the active American military presence in the Persian Gulf region seems to be winding down, DynCorp International received a major War Reserve Materiel (WRM) contract worth over $26 million. Most of the work will be performed in Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. DynCorp has been doing WRM work since 2000, and the company outbid five …
Lawmakers Debate Workers’ Compensation Alternatives
Members of the House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee listened to a number of witnesses testify regarding the cost/benefit balance in the current workers’ compensation scheme. Committee Chairman Danny Burgess (R-Dade City) noted that, according to a recent survey, 66% of stakeholders felt that the current system does not strike the proper balance between employer and worker interests. “The purpose of …