For Additional Headlines - go to our News Section »

• Energy Bill Could Raise Power Rates
  made by wcrider153
• Energy Bill Could Raise Power Rates
  made by jday1999
• Grilling with Greg & Wayne
  made by redrusty
• Grilling with Greg & Wayne
  made by Mischief
• Energy Bill Could Raise Power Rates
  made by gator
• Energy Bill Could Raise Power Rates
  made by Mischief
• Formosan Termites in Panama City
  made by Mischief
• Search Warrant Served at Doctor's Office
  made by ufcbound
• A Private School's Closure Causes Public Concern
  made by tomtill
• Panama City Rescue Mission's Addiction Recovery Program Proves Dangerous but Needed
  made by Freedomsgirl

• One Hospitalized After Officer Involved Shooting
• Man Involved with Panama City Rescue Mission Found Murdered
• Residents and Officials Upset by Possible Parker Post Office Closure
• UPDATE: Victim’s Name Released in Bay County Hit and Run
• UPDATE: Nine Arrested in Multi-agency Operation
• Cigarette Tax Goes Into Effect Wednesday
• Panama City Christian Closing Its Doors
• Congressman Boyd Faces Protesters
• Registered Sex Offender arrested for Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of Child Under Age of 16
• UPDATE: Teen Killed in Calhoun County Accident

Felons in Mortgage Industry Law
10/21/08 - 03:54 PM

Associated Press

 RSS Feed

The action that Florida Cabinet members took to make it tougher for ex-felons to get mortgage broker licenses is vulnerable to a legal challenge and needs to be strengthened, according to Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum.

The Cabinet approved an emergency rule in August to tighten up the licensing process after the Miami Herald found more than 10,000 people with criminal records were issued mortgage broker licenses from 2000 to 2007. The Herald found that convicted felons bilked at least 85 million dollars from Floridians.

But McCollum says an investigation by his legal team found the rule cannot be enforced against ex-felons unless they committed crimes directly related to the licenses they are seeking.

Now he wants to change the rule so felons cannot get licenses to work in the mortgage industry or other positions of trust for at least seven years after they are released from prison.

McCollum says the bottom line is that the current rule is too broad.

McCollum hopes to revisit the issue when the clemency panel convenes again early next year.
   
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)