00-000426 Department Of Business And Professional Regulation, Division Of Real Estate vs. Terrell Laverne Solomon
 Status: Closed
Recommended Order on Tuesday, May 2, 2000.


View Dockets  
Summary: Licensee failed to fully disclose criminal history. Recommend 30-day suspension and $250 administrative fine.

1STATE OF FLORIDA

4DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

8DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND )

13PROFESSIONAL REGULATION, )

16DIVISION OF REAL ESTATE, )

21)

22Petitioner, )

24)

25vs. ) Case No. 00-0426

30)

31TERRELL LAVERNE SOLOMON, )

35)

36Respondent. )

38__________________________________)

39RECOMMENDED ORDER

41Pursuant to notice, the Division of Administrative Hearings

49by its duly-designated Administrative Law Judge, William J.

57Kendrick, held a formal hearing in the above-styled case on

67March 9, 2000, by video teleconference at sites in Tallahasse e

78and Miami, Florida.

81APPEARANCES

82For Petitioner: Sunia Y. Marsh, Esquire

88Department of Business and

92Professional Regulation

94Division of Real Estate

98400 West Robinson Street

102Post Office Box 1900

106Orlando, Florida 32802-1900

109For Respondent: Terrell Laverne Solomon, pro se

1169555 Northwest 33rd Avenue

120Miami, Florida 33147

123STATEMENT OF THE ISSUE

127At issue in this proceeding is whether Respondent committed

136the offense set forth in the Administrative Complaint and, if

146so, what penalty should be imposed.

152PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

154On October 26, 1999, Petitioner issued a two-count

162Administrative Complaint which charged Respondent, a licensed

169real estate salesperson, violated certain provisions of Section

177475.25, Florida Statutes. Count I alleged that Respondent

185violated the provisions of Subsection 475.25(1)(m), Florida

192Statutes, by having "obtained a license by means of fraud,

202misrepresentation, or concealment," and Count II alleged that

210Respondent violated Subsection 475.25(1)(e), Florida Statutes,

216by having "failed to disclose in his application for a real

227estate sales person [license] information that Rule 61J2-

2352.027(2), Florida Administrative Code, requires." The gravamen

242of the charges was Petitioner's contention that in applying for

252licensure as a real estate salesperson Respondent failed to

261fully disclose his criminal history.

266Respondent filed an election-of-rights wherein he disputed

273the allegations of fact contained in the Administrative

281Complaint. Consequently, Petitioner referred the matter to the

289Division of Administrative Hearings for the assignment of an

298administrative law judge to conduct a formal hearing pursuant to

308Sections 120.569, 120.57(1), and 120.60, Florida Statutes.

315At hearing, Petitioner called Keith Chapman as a witness,

324and Petitioner's Exhibits 1-8 were received into evidence. 1/

333Respondent testified on his own behalf, but offered no exhibits.

343A transcript of hearing was filed April 10, 2000, and the

354parties were accorded 10 days from that date to file proposed

365recommended orders. Petitioner elected to file such a proposal

374and it has been duly-considered.

379FINDINGS OF FACT

3821. Petitioner, Department of Business and Professional

389Regulation, Division of Real Estate (Department), is a state

398government licensing and regulatory agency charged with the duty

407and responsibility to prosecute administrative complaints

413pursuant to the laws of the State of Florida, in particular

424Section 20.165, Florida Statutes, Chapters 120, 455, and 475,

433Florida Statutes, and the rules promulgated pursuant thereto.

4412. Respondent, Terrell Laverne Solomon, is now, and was at

451all times material hereto, a licensed real estate salesperson in

461the State of Florida, having been issued license number SL-

4710653405.

4723. On or about June 16, 1997, Respondent filed an

482application (dated June 10, 1997) with the Department for

491licensure as a real estate salesperson. Pertinent to this case,

501item 9 on the application required that Respondent answer "Yes"

511or "No" (by checking the appropriate box) to the following

521question:

522Have you ever been convicted of a crime,

530found guilty, or entered a plea of guilty or

539nolo contendere (no contest), even if

545adjudication was withheld? This question

550applies to any violation of the laws of any

559municipality, county, state or nation,

564including traffic offenses (but not parking,

570speeding, inspection, or traffic signal

575violations), without regard to whether you

581were placed on probation, had adjudication

587withheld, paroled, or pardoned. If you

593intend to answer "NO" because you believe

600those records have been expunged or sealed

607by court order pursuant to Section 943.058,

614Florida Statutes, or applicable law of

620another state, you are responsible for

626verifying the expungement or sealing prior

632to answering "NO."

635If you answered "Yes," attach the details

642including dates and outcome, including any

648sentence and conditions imposed, in full on

655a separate sheet of paper.

660Your answer to this question will be

667checked against local, state and federal

673records. Failure to answer this question

679accurately could cause denial of licensure.

685If you do not fully understand this

692question,

693consult with an attorney or the Division of

701Real Estate.

703Respondent answered the question by checking the box marked

"712Yes," and attached a handwritten note which revealed the

721following details:

723I pleaded guilty for drug possession and

730carrying a concealed weapon. However, I

736don't know the exact date, but it been [sic]

74510 to 15 years ago. I also have a

754conviction for driving under the influence

760in [19]84.

762The application concluded with Respondent's acknowledgement

768before a Notary Public of the State of Florida as follows:

779The above named, and undersigned,

784applicant for licensure as a real estate

791salesperson under the provisions of Chapter

797475, Florida Statutes, as amended, upon

803being duly sworn, deposes and says that

810(s)(he) is the person so applying, that

817(s)(he) has carefully read the application,

823answers, and the attached statements, if

829any, and that all such answers and

836statements are true and correct, and are as

844complete as his/her knowledge, information

849and records permit, without any evasions or

856mental reservations whatsoever; that (s)(he)

861knows of no reason why this application

868should be denied; and (s)(he) further

874extends this affidavit to cover all

880amendments to this application or further

886statements to the Division or its

892representatives, by him/her in response to

898inquiries concerning his/her qualifications.

9024. On July 28, 1997, Respondent passed the salesperson

911examination and was issued license number SL-0653405 as an

920inactive salesperson. From September 17, 1997, through the date

929of hearing, Respondent has been licensed as an active

938salesperson associated with Anita Berger Realty, Inc., a broker

947corporation located at 21414 West Dixie Highway, North Miami

956Beach, Florida.

9585. Following approval of Respondent's application, and his

966licensure as a real estate salesperson, the Department received

975the results of a state and federal records search which revealed

986a criminal history that included charges not disclosed on

995Respondent's application. That records search revealed the

1002following criminal history in the Circuit and County Courts,

1011Eleventh Judicial Circuit, Dade County, Florida (where

1018Respondent was "convicted of a crime, found guilty, or entered a

1029plea of guilty or nolo contendere (no contest), even if

1039adjudication was withheld"): 2/

1044(a) On April 8, 1978, Respondent was

1051arrested and charged in Case No. M78-56023

1058with misdemeanor Battery, Resisting an

1063Officer Without Violence, and Disorderly

1068Conduct; and on August 19, 1981, was

1075convicted of each charge and sentenced to a

1083term of probation with special conditions.

1089(b) On September 17, 1979, Case No. 79-

109712245, Respondent, upon entry of a plea of

1105guilty, was found guilty of Shooting into an

1113Occupied Dwelling; however, the court

1118withheld an adjudication of guilt.

1123(c) On June 17, 1985, Case No. 85-8549,

1131Respondent, upon entry of a plea of guilty,

1139was adjudicated guilty of Leaving the Scene

1146of an Accident Involving Personal Injury

1152(Count I), a third degree felony proscribed

1159by Section 316.027, Florida Statutes, and

1165Possession of a Controlled Substance, to-

1171wit: Heroin (Count 2), a third degree felony

1179proscribed by Section 893.13, Florida

1184Statutes; however, the court stayed and

1190withheld the imposition of sentence as to

1197each count and placed Respondent on

1203probation for a period of 4 years under the

1212supervision of the Department of

1217Corrections. Respondent's probation was

1221subsequently revoked and on April 18, 1989,

1228and he was committed to the custody of the

1237Sheriff of Dade County, Florida, to be

1244imprisoned for a term of 24 days, with

1252credit for time served.

1256(d) On December 30, 1989, Case No. 89-

126450035, Respondent was arrested and charged

1270with carrying a concealed firearm, and on

1277December 31, 1989, was convicted and

1283sentenced (the specifics of which are not of

1291record).

1292As heretofore noted, Respondent's application did reveal that he

1301had entered a plea of "guilty for drug possession" (ostensibly

1311the June 17, 1985, conviction) and "carrying a concealed weapon"

1321(ostensibly the December 30, 1989, conviction). The remaining

1329criminal history was not disclosed.

13346. Upon discovery of such information, the Department

1342apprised Respondent of its discovery and requested an

1350explanation. Respondent addressed the Department's concerns as

1357follows:

1358In regard with Section 455.225(1), Florida

1364Statutes. I answer [sic] Question 9 on my

1372application truthfully and to best of my

1379ability. It was never my intention to

1386violate Section 455.225 and 475.21, Florida

1392Statutes. I enclose[d] a letter from Metro-

1399Dade Police Department [with my application

1405which] stated that I have felony arrest and

1413misdemeanor arrest. At the time I was being

1421finger printed for DBPR, I ask [sic] the

1429finger printing officer can I have a copy of

1438my convictions and was denied. I also

1445enclosed a hand written letter statement,

1451all the conviction I can remember, and

1458that's why I check [sic] Question 9 Yes .

1467I'm not proud of my past life, but I work

1477hard to obtain my real estate license and

1485wouldn't do anything to jeodarize [sic] my

1492license. I just didn't remember my past

1499convictions, that's why I answer [sic]

1505question nine Yes . (Emphasis in original.)

15127. Thereafter, on October 26, 1999, the Department issued

1521the Administrative Complaint at issue in this proceeding which,

1530based on Respondent's failure to disclose the aforesaid

1538incidents on his application, charged that Respondent has

"1546obtained a license by means of fraud, misrepresentation, or

1555concealment" in violation of Section 475.25(1)(m), Florida

1562Statutes (Count I), and that Respondent has "failed to disclose

1572in his application for a real estate salesperson [license]

1581information that Rule 61J2-2.027(2), Florida Administrative

1587Code, requires" and therefore, violated Section 475.25(1)(e),

1594Florida Statutes (Count II). According to the complaint, the

1603disciplinary action sought for such violations was stated to be

1613as follows:

1615. . . [T]he penalty for each count or

1624separate offense may range from a reprimand;

1631an administrative fine not to exceed

1637$5,000.00 per violation; probation;

1642suspension of license, registration or

1647permit for a period not to exceed ten (10)

1656years; revocation of the license,

1661registration or permit; and any one or all

1669of the above penalties. . . . 3/

16778. Consistent with the explanation he offered the

1685Department for his failure to fully disclose his criminal

1694history, Respondent explained, at hearing, that his response to

1703item 9 on the application was, at the time, an accurate

1714reflection of his recollection, and that it was not his

1724intention to mislead the Department by failing to disclose the

1734matters he overlooked. Specifically, the Respondent offered the

1742following explanation at hearing:

1746THE COURT: Why didn't you disclose your

17531978 and 1979 problems with the disorderly

1760conduct and battery and the discharging the

1767firearm?

1768THE WITNESS: There's no reason. When I

1775went to get the fingerprint card done, I

1783asked the officer, can I get a print out of

1793my convictions and my felony record, and he

1801told me that he didn't do that and I didn't

1811know that I had to take it a step further.

1821I only checked Question 9, yes, to show that

1830I did have criminal past and I didn't know

1839that I had to take it a step further than

1849that. If I would have known that, I would

1858have took the opportunity to go do that.

1866But I didn't know that I had to check the

1876question and to present that for the

1883application.

1884THE COURT: What the question asked you,

1891if you answered, yes, then attach the

1898details, the dates and the outcome.

1904THE WITNESS: Yes, that's true and I know

1912I should have done it. But I asked them to

1922give me -- I couldn't put it on nobody but

1932myself. I should have taken it a step

1940further. To get the convictions. I wasn't

1947trying to hide anything from the Department.

1954* * *

1957CROSS-EXAMINATION

1958BY MS. MARSH:

1961Q Mr. Solomon, looking at your 1978

1968charge with the battery, resisting the

1974officer and disorderly conduct and the 1979

1981charge with the shooting in the occupied

1988dwelling . . . were you considering that if

1997you disclosed those to the commission, that

2004they would deny you a licensure?

2010A No, that's why I checked the question,

2018yes. I don't know how you look at it, but

2028if I wanted to tell the truth about it, I

2038would have checked, no, to the felony

2045arrest.

2046* * *

2049Q Did you believe the Department would

2056find all of your prior criminal cases?

2063A Yes. I knew that they would find it

2072but I didn't know that it would lead to this

2082here, because I did check the question, yes.

2090I didn't know it would lead to this, I would

2100have taken that extra day and not taken the

2109test and gotten the background check.

2115(Transcript, pages 24-27).

21189. Here, Respondent's explanation for his failure to

2126disclose the full scope of his criminal history is credited, and

2137it is resolved that, at the time he submitted his application,

2148Respondent did not intend to mislead or deceive the Department.

2158In so concluding, it is observed that Respondent's testimony was

2168candid, the nature of the incidents he disclosed were serious,

2178as opposed to trivial, and his assumption that the complete

2188details of his criminal history would be revealed when the

2198Department (as it stated it would do on the application) checked

2209his response against local, state, and federal records was well

2219founded. Consequently, while his response to item 9 on the

2229application was incomplete, Respondent's failure to more fully

2237detail his criminal history is more appropriately characterized

2245as a careless, thoughtless, or heedless act as opposed to a

2256willful or intentional effort to mislead the Department as to

2266the true character of his history.

2272CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

227510. The Division of Administrative Hearings has

2282jurisdiction over the parties to and the subject matter of these

2293proceedings. Sections 120.569, 120.57(1), and 120.60(5),

2299Florida Statutes.

230111. Where, as here, the Department proposes to take

2310punitive action against a licensee, it must establish grounds

2319for disciplinary action by clear and convincing evidence. See

2328Department of Banking and Finance v. Osborne Stern and Co. ,

2338670 So. 2d 932 (Fla. 1996); Ferris v. Turlington , 510 So. 2d 292

2351(Fla. 1987); Munch v. Department of Professional Regulation , 592

2360So. 2d 1136 (Fla. 1st DCA 1992); Section 120.57(1)(j), Florida

2370Statutes ("Findings of fact shall be based on a preponderance of

2382the evidence except in penal or license disciplinary proceedings

2391or except as otherwise provided by statute").

239912. "'[C]lear and convincing evidence requires that the

2407evidence must be found to be credible; the facts to which the

2419witnesses testify must be distinctly remembered; the testimony

2427must be precise and explicit and the witnesses must be lacking

2438in confusion as to the facts in issue. The evidence must be of

2451such weight that it produces in the mind of the trier of fact a

2465firm belief or conviction, without hesitancy, as to the truth of

2476the allegations sought to be established.'" In re Davey , 645

2486So. 2d 398, 404 (Fla. 1994), quoting with approval, from

2496Slomowitz v. Walker , 429 So. 2d 797, 800 (Fla. 4th DCA 1983).

250813. Moreover, in resolving cases of this nature, the

2517disciplinary action taken may be based only upon the offenses

2527specifically alleged in the administrative complaint. See

2534Kinney v. Department of State , 501 So. 2d 129 (Fla. 5th DCA

25461987); Sternberg v. Department of Professional Regulation, Board

2554of Medical Examiners , 465 So. 2d 1324 (Fla. 1st DCA 1985); and

2566Hunter v. Department of Professional Regulation , 458 So. 2d 844

2576(Fla. 2d DCA 1984). Finally, in determining whether Respondent

2585violated the provisions of Section 475.25(1), as alleged in the

2595Administrative Complaint, one "must bear in mind that it is, in

2606effect, a penal statute. . . . This being true, the statute

2618must be strictly construed and no conduct is to be regarded as

2630included within it that is not reasonably proscribed by it."

2640Lester v. Department of Professional and Occupational

2647Regulations , 348 So. 2d 923, 925 (Fla. 1st DCA 1977).

265714. Pertinent to this case, Section 475.25(1), Florida

2665Statutes, provides that the Florida Real Estate Commission:

2673. . . may deny an application for

2681licensure, registration, or permit, or

2686renewal thereof; may place a licensee,

2692registrant, or permittee on probation; may

2698suspend a license, registration, or permit

2704for a period not exceeding 10 years; may

2712revoke a license, registration, or permit;

2718may impose an administrative fine not to

2725exceed $1,000 for each count or separate

2733offense; and may issue a reprimand, and any

2741or all of the foregoing, if it finds that

2750the licensee, registrant, permittee, or

2755applicant:

2756* * *

2759(e) Has violated any of the provisions of

2767this chapter or any lawful order or rule

2775made or issued under the provisions of this

2783chapter or chapter 455.

2787* * *

2790(m) Has obtained a license by means of

2798fraud, misrepresentation, or concealment.

280215. Pertinent to the perceived violation of Subsection

2810475.25(1)(e), Florida Statutes, Rule 61J2-2.027(2), Florida

2816Administrative Code, provides:

2819(2) The applicant must make it possible

2826to immediately begin the inquiry as to

2833whether the applicant is honest, truthful,

2839trustworthy, of good character, and bears a

2846good reputation for fair dealings, and will

2853likely make transactions and conduct

2858negotiations with safety to investors and to

2865those with whom the applicant may undertake

2872a relation of trust and confidence. The

2879applicant is required to disclose:

2884(a) if ever arrested or convicted of a

2892crime, or if any criminal or civil

2899proceeding is pending against the applicant,

2905or if any judgment or decree has been

2913rendered against the applicant in a case

2920wherein the pleadings charged the applicant

2926with fraudulent or dishonest dealings. . . .

293416. To establish that a licensee committed a violation of

2944Subsection 475.25(1)(m), as alleged in Count I of the

2953Administrative Complaint, the Department must show not only that

2962the licensee provided false or misleading information on his

2971application, but that he did so knowingly and intentionally.

2980Munch v. Department of Professional Regulation , 592 So. 2d 1136,

29901143 (Fla. 1st DCA 1992) ("[A]pplying to the words used [in

3002Section 475.25(1)(m)] their usual and natural meaning, it is

3011apparent that it is contemplated that an intentional act be

3021proved before a violation may be found."). Accord Walker v.

3032Department of Business and Professional Regulation , 23 Fla. L.

3041Weekly D292 (Fla. 5th DCA 1998). See also Gentry v. Department

3052of Professional and Occupational Regulations , 293 So. 2d 95, 97

3062(Fla. 1st DCA 1974) (statutory provision pro hibiting licensed

3071physicians from "[m]aking misleading, deceptive and untrue

3078representations in the practice of medicine" held not to apply

3088to "representations which are honestly made but happen to be

3098untrue"; "[t]o constitute a violation, . . . the legislature

3108intended that the misleading, deceptive and untrue

3115representations must be made willfully (intentionally))"; and

3122Naekel v. Department of Transportation , 782 F.2d 975, 978 (Fed.

3132Cir. 1986) ("[A] charge of falsification of a government

3142document [in this case, an employment application] requires

3150proof not only that an answer is wrong, but also that the wrong

3163answer was given with intent to deceive or mislead the agency.")

317517. Here, the proof demonstrates with the requisite degree

3184of certainty that Respondent failed to fully disclose his

3193criminal history as required by item 9 on the application. What

3204remains to resolve is whether Respondent's failure may be

3213reasonably characterized as "willful," so as to constitute a

3222violation of Subsection 475.25(1)(m), Florida Statutes, or is

3230more appropriately characterized as careless or passive in

3238character so as to constitute a violation of Rule 61J2-2.027(2),

3248Florida Administrative Code, and, therefore, Subsection

3254475.25(1)(e), Florida Statutes. To reach a resolution of the

3263issue, it is necessary to resolve whether Respondent's failure

3272to disclose was "willful" or "intentional."

327818. Where, as here, the legislature has not defined the

3288words used in a phrase, the language should usually be given its

3300plain and ordinary meaning. Southeastern Fisheries Association,

3307Inc. v. Department of Natural Resources , 453 So. 2d 1351 (Fla.

33181984). The American Heritage Dictionary of the English

3326Language, New College Edition (1979) defines "willful" as

"3334[s]aid or done in accordance with one's will; deliberate."

3343Perhaps more informative to the instant case, Black's Law

3352Dictionary, Fifth Edition (1979) defines "willful" as follows:

3360Proceeding from a conscious motion of the

3367will; voluntary. Intending the result which

3373actually comes to pass; designed;

3378intentional; not accidental or involuntary.

3383An act or omission is "willfully" done, if

3391done voluntarily and intentionally and with

3397the specific intent to do something the law

3405forbids, or with the specific intent to fail

3413to do something the law requires to be done;

3422that is to say, with bad purpose either to

3431disobey or to disregard the law.

3437Willful is a word of many meanings, its

3445construction often influenced by its

3450context. Screws v. United States, 325 U.S.

345791, 101, 65 S.Ct. 1031, 1035, 89 L.Ed. 1495.

3466The word [willfully] often denotes an act

3473which is intentional, or knowing, or

3479voluntary, as distinguished from accidental.

3484But when used in a criminal context it

3492generally means an act done with a bad

3500purpose; without justifiable excuse;

3504stubbornly, obstinately, perversely. The

3508word is also employed to characterize a

3515thing done without ground for believing it

3522is lawful or conduct marked by a careless

3530disregard whether or not one has the right

3538so to act. United States v. Murdock, 290

3546U.S. 389, 394, 395, 54 S.Ct. 223, 225, 78

3555L.Ed. 381.

3557Whatever the grade of the offense the

3564presence of the word "willful" in the

3571definition will carry with it the

3577implication that for guilt the act must have

3585been done willingly rather than under

3591compulsion and, if something is required to

3598be done by statute, the implication that a

3606punishable omission must be by one having

3613the ability and means to perform. In re

3621Trombley, 31 Cal.2d 801, 807, 193 P2d 734,

3629739.

3630A willful act may be described as one done

3639intentionally, knowingly, and purposely,

3643without justifiable excuse, as distinguished

3648from an act done carelessly, thoughtlessly,

3654heedlessly, or inadvertently. A willful act

3660differs essentially from a negligent act.

3666The one is positive and the other negative.

3674Premeditated; malicious; done with evil

3679intent, or with a bad motive or purpose, or

3688with indifference to the natural

3693consequences; unlawful; without legal

3697justification.

369819. Applying the words used in Subsection 475.25(1)(m),

3706Florida Statutes, their usual and customary meaning, it is

3715apparent that, to establish a violation of that subsection in

3725this case, the Department must show not only that Respondent

3735failed to fully disclose his criminal history, but that he did

3746so "intentionally, knowingly, and purposely, without justifiable

3753excuse, as distinguished from . . . carelessly, thoughtlessly,

3762heedlessly, or inadvertently." Black's Law Dictionary, Fifth

3769Edition (1979), supra . Here, Respondent's failure to completely

3778disclose his criminal history partakes more of a careless,

3787thoughtless, or heedless act than one done with bad motive or

3798spite. Consequently, Respondent's failing has not been shown to

3807constitute a violation of Subsection 475.25(1)(m), Florida

3814Statutes, but has been shown to have violated the provisions of

3825Rule 61J2-2.027(2), Florida Administrative Code, and, therefore,

3832Subsection 475.25(1)(e), Florida Statutes.

383620. Having resolved that Respondent violated the

3843provisions of Subsection 475.25(1)(e), Florida Statutes, by

3850having failed to comply with the requirements of Rule 61J2-

38602.027(2), Florida Administrative Code, it remains to resolve the

3869appropriate penalty that should be imposed. Pertinent to this

3878issue, Rule 61J2-24.001(3)(f), Florida Administrative Code,

3884provides that for a violation of Subsection 475.25(1)(e),

3892Florida Statutes, "[t]he usual action of the Commission shall be

3902to impose a penalty from an 8 year suspension to revocation and

3914an administrative fine of $1,000." Here, giving due regard for

3925the Commission's usual penalty, as well as the aggravating and

3935mitigating circumstances set forth in Rule 61J2-24.001(4),

3942Florida Administrative Code, including the time that has elapsed

3951since the offenses occurred and the absence of any proof that

3962the Department (given the nature of the offenses) would have

3972altered its decision (to approve Respondent's application for

3980licensure) had it known of Respondent's convictions, an

3988appropriate penalty for the violation found is a suspension for

399830 days and an administrative fine of $250.

4006RECOMMENDATION

4007Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of

4017Law, it is

4020RECOMMENDED that a final order be rendered adopting the

4029foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, and which,

4039for the violation found, imposes a 30-day suspension and an

4049administrative fine of $250.

4053DONE AND ENTERED this 2nd day of May, 2000, in Tallahassee,

4064Leon County, Florida.

4067___________________________________

4068WILLIAM J. KENDRICK

4071Administrative Law Judge

4074Division of Administrative Hearings

4078The DeSoto Building

40811230 Apalachee Parkway

4084Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060

4087(850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675

4091Fax Filing (850) 921-6847

4095www.doah.state.fl.us

4096Filed with the Clerk of the

4102Division of Administrative Hearings

4106this 2nd day of May, 2000.

4112ENDNOTES

41131/ Petitioner filed, post-hearing, a Notice of Filing Redacted

4122Exhibit and Amendment to Proposed Recommended Order, whereby

4130Petitioner offered a redacted (modified) copy of a portion of its

4141Exhibit 3 received into evidence. The redacted copy has been

4151marked as Petitioner's Exhibit 9; however, since it was not

4161offered at hearing and does not accurately depict Respondent's

4170criminal record that is relevant to this case, it has been

4181rejected. At paragraph 5 of this Recommended Order are the only

4192criminal charges deemed relevant to this case.

4199For the record, the reader should note that the court reporter

4210attached copies of Petitioner's Exhibits 1-8 that were available

4219to Respondent at the hearing location in Miami, Florida. Also

4229submitted to the agency with this Recommended Order are

4238Petitioner's Exhibits 1-8, available at the hearing location in

4247Tallahassee, Florida, as well as Petitioner's Exhibit 9 for

4256identification, filed post-hearing.

42592/ Petitioner also offered proof (Petitioner's Exhibit 7) that

4268on July 31, 1994, in Case No. 94-36610, the court disposed of a

4281charge of Disorderly Intoxication that had been filed against

4290Respondent by withholding adjudication and crediting Respondent

4297with time served. No further record exists concerning the nature

4307of the charge or its disposition, and such matter was not charged

4319in the Administrative Complaint as a basis for disciplinary

4328action. Consequently, it has not been deemed relevant to these

4338proceedings. See Kinney v. Department of State , 501 So. 2d 129

4349(Fla. 5th DCA 1987) and other authority cited in the Conclusions

4360of Law.

43623/ The Department also sought an award of costs as provided for

4374by Section 455.227(3), Florida Statutes; however, it offered no

4383proof, at hearing, regarding what costs, if any, it incurred.

4393Consequently, there is no record basis on which to make a

4404recommendation concerning any cost award.

4409COPIES FURNISHED:

4411Sunia Y. Marsh, Esquire

4415Department of Business and

4419Professional Regulation

4421Division of Real Estate

4425400 West Robinson Street

4429Post Office Box 1900

4433Orlando, Florida 32802-1900

4436Terrell Laverne Solomon

44399555 Northwest 33rd Avenue

4443Miami, Florida 33147

4446Herbert S. Fecker, Director

4450Division of Real Estate

4454Department of Business and

4458Professional Regulation

4460Post Office Box 1900

4464Orlando, Florida 32802-1900

4467Barbara D. Auger, General Counsel

4472Department of Business and

4476Professional Regulation

44781940 North Monroe Street

4482Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792

4485NOTICE OF RIGHT TO SUBMIT EXCEPTIONS

4491All parties have the right to submit written exceptions within

450115 days from the date of this Recommended Order. Any exceptions

4512to this Recommended Order should be filed with the agency that

4523will issue the Final Order in this case.

Select the PDF icon to view the document.
PDF
Date
Proceedings
Date: 07/26/2000
Proceedings: Final Order filed.
PDF:
Date: 07/19/2000
Proceedings: Agency Final Order
PDF:
Date: 05/02/2000
Proceedings: Recommended Order
PDF:
Date: 05/02/2000
Proceedings: Recommended Order sent out. CASE CLOSED. Hearing held 03/09/2000.
PDF:
Date: 04/21/2000
Proceedings: (Petitioner) Notice of Filing Redacted Exhibit & Amendment to Proposed Recommended Order; Exhibit (filed via facsimile).
PDF:
Date: 04/21/2000
Proceedings: (Petitioner) Proposed Recommended Order (filed via facsimile).
Date: 04/10/2000
Proceedings: Transcript filed.
Date: 03/09/2000
Proceedings: CASE STATUS: Hearing Held.
PDF:
Date: 03/02/2000
Proceedings: Amended Notice Hearing by Video Teleconference sent out. (hearing set for March 9, 2000; 9:00 a.m.; Miami and Tallahassee, FL, amended as to date, time, location, and video)
PDF:
Date: 03/01/2000
Proceedings: Notice of Filing Petitioner`s Witness List and Proposed Exhibits; Exhibits filed.
PDF:
Date: 02/17/2000
Proceedings: (Petitioner) Notice of Substitute Counsel (filed via facsimile).
PDF:
Date: 02/10/2000
Proceedings: Notice of Hearing sent out. (hearing set for March 7, 2000; 2:00 p.m.; Miami, FL)
PDF:
Date: 02/08/2000
Proceedings: (Petitioner) Unilateral Response to Initial Order (filed via facsimile).
PDF:
Date: 02/08/2000
Proceedings: Letter to WJK from T. Solomon Re: Location of Hearing (filed via facsimile).
Date: 01/27/2000
Proceedings: Initial Order issued.
PDF:
Date: 01/25/2000
Proceedings: Administrative Complaint filed.
PDF:
Date: 01/25/2000
Proceedings: Agency Referral Letter filed.
PDF:
Date: 01/25/2000
Proceedings: Election of Rights filed.

Case Information

Judge:
WILLIAM J. KENDRICK
Date Filed:
01/25/2000
Date Assignment:
01/27/2000
Last Docket Entry:
07/26/2000
Location:
Miami, Florida
District:
Southern
Agency:
ADOPTED IN TOTO
 

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Related Florida Statute(s) (9):

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