18-000230 Parent Support, Llc, D/B/A Cares Treatment vs. Department Of Children And Families
 Status: Closed
Recommended Order on Thursday, September 27, 2018.


View Dockets  
Summary: Agency proved by clear and convincing evidence that Petitioner violated chapter 397 and that license renewal applications should not be approved.

1S TATE OF FLORIDA

5DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

9PARENT SUPPORT, LLC, d/b/a

13CARES TREATMENT,

15Petitioner,

16vs. Case Nos. 18 - 0230

2218 - 0234

25DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND

29FAMILIES,

30Respondent.

31_______________________________/

32RECOMMENDED ORDER

34Administrative Law Judge D. R. Alexander conducted a hearing

43in these cases by video teleconference at sites in Orlando and

54Tallahassee, Florida, on June 25, 2018.

60APPEARANCES

61For Petitioner: Roberto Torres, Jr., pro se

68Suite 254

708297 Champions Gate Boulevard

74Champions Gate, Florida 33896 - 8387

80For Respondent: T. Shane DeBoard, Esquire

86Department of Children and Families

91Suite S - 1129

95400 West Robinson Street

99Orlando, Florida 32801 - 1707

104STATEMENT OF THE ISSUE

108The issue is whether Petitioner's applications to renew

116licenses for two Residential Level II facilities in Davenport,

125Florida, should be denied and a $2,500.00 fine imposed for the

137reasons given in the Department of Children and Families'

146(Department) Amended Denial of Applications & Imposition of Fines

155issued on February 8, 2018.

160PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

162On November 27, 2017, Petitioner filed applications to renew

171two Residential Level II facility licenses located in Davenport,

180Florida. On December 1, 2017, the Department issued two letters

190denying the applications. Petitioner timely requested a hearing

198for each application, and the matters were referred by the

208D epartment to the Division of Administrative Hearings and

217assigned Case Nos. 18 - 0230 and 18 - 0234. The two cases were

231consolidated on January 22, 2018. On February 16, 2018, the

241Department was authorized to amend the bases for its denial.

251Numerous papers seeking various types of relief were filed

260by Petitioner and the Department during the course of this

270proceeding. A resolution of those matters can be found on the

281docket sheet or in the record of the final hearing. A 207 - page

295Motion to Strike Respondent ' s Claim for Fraud on the Court,

307Spoliation, and Discovery Abuse and Alternative Motion for Other

316Sanctions filed by Petitioner just prior to hearing is denied.

326At the hearing, Petitioner was represented by its chief

335executive officer and manag er , Roberto Torres, Jr. Petitioner

344presented no witnesses. Instead, it relied on Mr. Torres' cross -

355examination of Department witnesses. Petitioner's Exhibits 1, 2,

36316, 17, 18, 73, 74, and 77 were accepted in evidence. 1/ The

376Department presented the testimony of si x witnesses. Department

385Exhibits 1 through 5, 7 through 10, 12, 13, 15 through 20, and

3982 2 through 27 were accepted in evidence. 2/ Exhibits 25, 26, and

41127 are depositions taken in May 2018 and attended by both

422parties. Finally, official recognition was taken of numerous

430Florida and Arizona statutes and rules cited in Petitioner's

439Motion for Official Recognition of Federal and State Laws filed

449on June 20, 2018. 3/

454A two - volume Transcript of the hearing was filed on

465August 22, 2018. The Department a nd Petitioner filed proposed

475recommended orders (PROs) on September 19 and 21, 2018,

484respectively, and they been considered in the preparation of this

494Recommended Order.

496FINDING S OF FACT

500A. Background

5021. The Department is charged with the responsibility of

511regulating the licensing and operation of residential treatment

519facilities pursuant to chapter 397, Florida Statutes (2017).

5272. Petitioner is a Delaware limited liability corporation

535authorized to conduct business in the S tate of Florida. Subject

546to the outcome of this proceeding, Petitioner is licensed to

556operate two Residential Level II facilities in Davenport under

565the name Cares Treatment. One facility is located at 146 Sunset

576View Drive (Case No. 18 - 0230), the other at 389 Sand Ridge Drive

590(Cas e No. 18 - 0234). The licenses were issued on December 15,

6032016, and were to expire on December 14, 2017. Each license

614authorizes Petitioner to "provide substance abuse services for

622Adults and/or Children/Adolescents for the following component:

629Residenti al Level 2 (6 beds)." 4/ Resp. Ex. 2. The Torres family

642home is not a licensed facility and services cannot be provided

653to residents who reside at that location.

6603. Petitioner is not licensed to provide services under the

670Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), the Outpatient Program

677(OP), or the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). 5/ These services

687require a separate license from the Department. In December

6962017, Petitioner filed with the Department new applications to

705provide those services. However, t he applications were denied

714and no appeal was taken.

7194. According to the renewal applications, Petitioner

726provides a "residential treatment facility for children and

734adolescents." Resp. Ex. 3. Each facility "is a free - standing

745residential facility which provides a structured living

752environment within a system of care approach for children,

761adolescents and adult[s] who have a primary diagnosis of mental

771illness or emotional disturbance and who may also have other

781disabilities." Id.

7835. Petitioner's fac ilities are a family - run business.

793Roberto Torres, Jr. (Mr. T orres), is the Chief Executive Officer

804and manager of the limited liability corporation; Cecilia Torres,

813his wife, is the Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer; Karla Torres,

822a daughter, is the Vice President/Chief Administrative Officer;

830Roberto Torres, III (the son), is the Secretary/Chief Information

839Officer; and Kristina Torres, a daughter, is the Ambassador/Chief

848Relationship Officer. Resp. Ex. 4.

8536. On November 27, 2017, Petitioner filed it s applications

863for renewal of the two licenses. On December 1, 2017, the

874Department issued separate, but identical, letters denying both

882applications on the grounds they were not timely filed and they

893were incomplete. Resp. Ex. 5. On February 16, 2018, the

903Department was authorized to amend its letters of denial with a

914single amended denial document, which combined the original

922charges in the two letters into Counts I and II and added new

935Counts III, IV, and V. Resp. Ex. 1. The amended denial letter

947al so seeks to impose a $2,500.00 administrative fine for

958violating various Class II rules. The specific rules are not

968identified in the original or amended charging documents, but the

978Department's PRO cites Florida Administrative Code Rule 65D -

98730.003(1)(a) and "rules set forth in 65D - 30" as the rules on

1000which it relies. Because proper notice of the specific rules was

1011not given, the rule violations have not been considered.

10207. The charges in the amended denial letter can be

1030summarized as follows:

1033Count I - The application for the facility at

1042146 Sunset View Drive was not timely filed

1050and was incomplete in violation of sections

1057397.403 and 397.407(8).

1060Count II - The application for the facility

1068at 389 Sand Ridge Drive was not timely filed

1077and was incomplete in violation of sections

1084397.403 and 397.407(8).

1087Count III - In November 2016, O.G., a

109516 - year - old female who had been recently

1105discharged from a Baker Act facility, was

1112admitted for treatment of substance abuse and

1119mental health issues. After resid ing a few

1127months at the Sunset View location, she was

1135moved to the Torres family home, an

1142unlicensed facility, where she remained for

1148one or two months. By providing services at

1156that unlicensed location, Petitioner violated

1161section 397.401(1). She was th en moved to

1169the Sand Ridge location for two or three

1177months before being returned to the Torres

1184family home. She continued to receive

1190substance abuse treatment at the family home

1197until her discharge two or three months

1204later. This constitutes a second vi olation

1211of the same statute. While under the care of

1220Petitioner, O.G. was subjected to actions

1226which resulted in verified abuse reports

1232against Mr. Torres and his son and

1239contributed to the delinquency and

1244exploitation of a child. Such conduct

1250constitute s a threat to the health or safety

1259of O.G. in violation of section

1265397.415(1)(d).

1266Count IV - On October 19, 2017, J.W., who

1275transferred from a Baker Act facility, was

1282accepted by Petitioner for care and to

1289receive "partial hospitalization program"

1293servic es, which Petitioner is not licensed to

1301provide. This constitutes a violation of

1307sections 397.401(1) and 397.415(1)(a)2.c.

1311J.W. was later discharged in contravention of

1318his wishes and desires, which resulted in him

1326relapsing and again being Baker Acted. This

1333conduct constitutes a threat to J.W.'s health

1340or safety in violation of section

1346397.415(1)(d).

1347Count V - On January 23, 2018, the Department

1356attempted to conduct an onsite inspection at

1363both licensed facilities to review J.W.'s

1369files, but was denied access to the premises.

1377Petitioner later failed to respond to a

1384written request by the Department for records

1391relating to J.W. and O.G. This conduct

1398constitutes a violation of section 397.411.

14048. The charging document asserts the conduct in Count III

1414violates four Class II rules (not otherwise identified), for

1423which a $500.00 fine should be imposed for each violation; and

1434the conduct described in Count IV violates "applicable" Class II

1444rules (not otherwise identified), for which a single $500.00

1453penal ty should be imposed. Rule 65D - 30.003(1)(a), the only rule

1465cited in the Department's PRO, requires in relevant part that

"1475all substance abuse components" be provided "by persons or

1484entities that are licensed by the department pursuant to

1493Section 397.401, F. S."

1497B. The Charges

1500i. Counts I and II

15059. Section 397.407(8) provides that "the Department may

1513deny a renewal application submitted fewer than 30 days before

1523the license expires." For Petitioner to meet this deadline,

1532license renewal applications w ere due on or before November 15,

15432017. An application is not considered filed until an

1552application with the signature of the chief executive officer is

1562submitted by the applicant.

156610. Around 3:30 p.m. on November 27, 2017, Mr. Torres spoke

1577by telephon e with Ms. Harmon, the Department System of Care

1588Coordinator, regarding three new licensure applications he was

1596filing. During the conversation, he was reminded that renewal

1605applications for his two existing licenses had not been filed.

1615Mr. Torres respon ded that he "would have to get on that."

1627Properly signed renewal applications were submitted

1633electronically at 5:00 p.m. and 5:42 p.m. that afternoon.

164211. In his cross - examination, Mr. Torres attempted to

1652establish that the Department's website, the Pr ovider Licensing

1661and Designation System (PLADS), was periodically inoperative, and

1669this prevented him from filing his on - line applications in a

1681timely manner. However, there is no credible evidence to support

1691this claim. In fact, after Mr. Torres raised this issue early on

1703in the case, Ms. Harmon reviewed the activity log of Mr. Torres'

1715two on - line applications and found that he began the application

1727process in late August or early September 2017, but did nothing

1738further until he hit the submit button aft er speaking with her on

1751November 27, 2017. Also, during this same period of time, the

1762PLADS program (to which all applicants have access) indicated

1771that the applications were in "Waiting Approval" status, which

1780meant the applications were "in process" but had never been

1790submitted. Therefore, the applications were not timely filed. 6/

179912. Section 397.403(1)(f) requires license applicat ions to

1807include, among other things, "proof of satisfactory fire, safety,

1816and health inspections." Neither application fil ed on

1824November 27, 2017, included an updated Treatment Resource

1832Affidavit, a current Fire and Safety Inspection form, and a

1842complete and current Health Facility and Food Inspection form.

1851Therefore, the applications filed on November 27, 2017, were

1860incomp lete.

1862ii. Count III

186513. On November 17, 2016, O.G., then a 16 - year - old female,

1879was admitted for treatment at the facility. O.G. had a history

1890of bi - polar episodes, depression, and drug abuse. Before seeking

1901treatment at Petitioner's facility, she ha d been Baker Acted

1911twice. After learning about Petitioner's facility through

1918another provider, O.G.'s family placed her in the facility to

1928address her substance abuse and behavior problems.

193514. Upon admission, a treatment plan was devised by a

1945licensed mental health counselor (LMHC), with a target completion

1954date of May 17, 2017. Resp. Ex. 10. The treatment plan listed

1966four staff members overseeing her case: Karla Torres (case

1975manager); the LMHC; and S.F. and K.V., two "caregivers" or

1985interns. Id. O.G. was discharged from the facility nine months

1995later on August 14, 2017. Petitioner was paid approximately

2004$166,000.00 by O.G.'s parents for her nine - month stay.

201515. O.G. was initially placed in the facility located at

2025146 Sunset Drive, where she re mained for approximately three

2035months. She was then moved to the Torres family home at

20462347 Victoria Drive in Davenport for two or three months. The

2057Torres home is not a licensed facility. By housing her at an

2069unlicensed location and providing services during that period of

2078time, Petitioner violated section 397.401(1), which makes it

2086unlawful to provide substance abuse services at an unlicensed

2095location. O.G.'s parents were unaware that their daughter was

2104residing in the unlicensed family home.

211016. Af ter Mr. Torres and O.G. "got into an argument," she

2122was moved to the facility at 389 Sands Drive for several months.

2134She then returned to the Torres home, where she remained for two

2146or three months until she was discharged. By housing her at an

2158unlicense d location and providing substance abuse services,

2166Petitioner violated section 397.401(1) a second time.

217317. During her stay at the Torres home, Mr. Torres

2183discussed "sex" with O.G.; he told her that he cheated on his

2195wife; and he complimented her "quit e a few times" for having "a

2208nice body." He also told her that "18" was a special age and if

2222she were 18 years old, things would be different. He added that

2234her parents were "too strict." These highly inappropriate

2242comments were especially egregious in nature, given the fact that

2252O.G. was a minor with mental health and substance abuse issues,

2263and she was living in the licensee's family home. One photograph

2274of O.G. taken in the home shows Mr. Torres standing in the

2286background donned in h is pajamas. Resp . Ex. 16. These actions

2298constitute a violation of section 397.415(1)(d)2., which makes it

2307unlawful to commit an intentional or negligent act materially

2316affecting the health or safety of an individual receiving

2325services from the provider.

232918. Mr. Torres o ccasionally escorted O.G. to two local bars

2340(Miller's Ale House and Marrakesh Hooka Lounge) in Champions

2349Gate. On one visit to Miller's Ale House in April or May 2017,

2362he purchased her a Blue Moon beer , even though she was a minor

2375and in a substance abuse program. She consumed the beer in his

2387presence while the two sat at the bar. Although Mr. Torres

2398attempted (through argument) to deny the incident, O.G. filmed

2407the event on her cell phone. Resp. Ex. 13. This action by him

2420also constitutes a violation of section 397.415(1)(d)2.

2427Petitioner argues in its PRO that the whole incident was a

2438fabrication and the result of a conspiracy by O.G.'s father, the

2449Tampa Police Department, and Department counsel. The contention

2457is rejected.

245919. When O.G. was dischar ged from the residential treatment

2469facility in August 2017, Petitioner enrolled her in another

2478program, IOP, which required her to periodically return to the

2488facility on weekends for further treatment. Her first return

2497visit was the weekend of August 26, 2017. During the weekend

2508visit, the son gave her a cell phone. O.G.'s admission document

2519for the IOP program indicated she would be given IOP services for

253160 to 90 days, with a goal of her being substance free at the end

2546of that period. Resp. Ex. 24. T here is no record of her being

2560discharged from the program.

256420. The Department argues in its PRO that by providing IOP

2575services to O.G., Petitioner was providing a service beyond the

2585scope of its license. However, this allegation was not included

2595in th e amended charging document and has not been considered.

2606See, e.g. , Trevisani v. Dep't of Health , 908 So. 2d 1108, 1109

2618(Fla. 1st DCA 2005)(a licensee may not be disciplined for an

2629offense not charged in the complaint).

263521. After being discharged from her original treatment plan

2644on August 14, 2017, O.G. returned to her mother's home. Except

2655for one weekend visit to Petitioner's facility for IOP services,

2665she remained at home until September 16, 2017. That day, O.G.

2676ran away from home with Preston, a r esident she had met at

2689Petitioner's facility. After leaving home, she went to

2697Melbourne, and then to West Palm Beach. A Missing/Endangered

2706Runaway Juvenile bulletin was posted by law enforcement on

2715October 5, 2017. Resp. Ex. 11. During this period of t ime,

2727PetitionerÓs records show that O.G. was still enrolled in the

2737unlicensed IOP program. Resp. Ex. 24.

274322. While in the West Palm Beach area, O.G. contacted the

2754son on the cell phone he had given her and told him she had run

2769away from home. She asked him to send her some money so that she

2783could go to Tampa to work in a strip club. Because O.G. was not

2797old enough to accept a wire money transfer, the son wired $600.00

2809to a friend of O.G., who gave her the money.

281923. Using the money provided by the so n, O.G. traveled to

2831Tampa and met the son on September 30, 2017. The two went to

2844Todd Couples Superstore, where he purchased several adult

2852entertainment outfits she could wear to audition for a job in a

2864strip club. Resp. Ex. 12. He also purchased her va rious

2875personal items at a Walgreens.

288024. The son then drove her to several clubs to audition for

2892a job. After several auditions, she was hired by Scores Tampa, a

2904local strip joint where "people take off their clothes for

2914money." O.G., who was only 17 years old at the time, signed an

2927employment contract on September 30, 2017, using a borrowed

2936driver's license of S.F., a 21 - year - old female. Resp. Ex. 15.

2950S.F. was a former intern at Petitioner's facility and is listed

2961as a member of the team staff on O. G.'s initial treatment plan.

2974By that time, S.F. had left Petitioner ' s facility and moved back

2987to Tampa.

298925. That same evening, O.G. began working in Scores Tampa.

2999O.G. says she took off her clothes while performing. The son

3010remained in the club while s he worked. After she got off work at

30242:00 a.m., he drove her to S.F. ' s house. O.G. continued working

3037at the club for the next few days. With the assistance of local

3050law enforcement, O.G. returned to her mother ' s home on October 7,

30632017.

306426. After she r an away from home, and even while working in

3077the club, O.G. maintained contact with Mr. Torres through texts

3087and Facetime and asked him not to report her whereabouts to

3098anyone. Although O.G.'s mother spoke to Mr. Torres on several

3108occasions after O.G. wen t missing in September 2017, neither

3118Mr. Torres nor the son informed her of the daughter's

3128whereabouts.

312927. On November 30, 2017, the Department received a report

3139of alleged human trafficking and sexual exploitation of a child.

3149The alleged perpetrator was the son, while the victim was

3159identified as O.G. Because the son was an employee of

3169Petitioner, an institutional investigation was conducted. The

3176investigation was closed on December 26, 2017, with a confirmed

3186report of Human Trafficking - Commercial Exploitation of a Child

3196against the son. Resp. Ex. 17. During the investigation,

3205Mr. Torres and members of his family declined to be interviewed

3216or answer any questions. Instead, they referred all questions to

3226their attorney.

322828. On February 6, 2018 , the Department received another

3237report of abuse involving Mr. Torres. The report alleged that in

3248April or May 2017, Mr. Torres transported O.G. to a bar at

3260Miller's Ale House in " Davenport " [ sic ] and purchased her a beer.

3273After an institutional investi gation, the file was closed on

3283March 1, 2018, as verified for Substance Misuse Î Alcohol against

3294Mr. Torres. Resp. Ex. 18. See also Finding of Fact 18.

3305Mr. Torres declined to participate in the investigation.

331329. By clear and convincing evidence, the Department

3321established that the actions of Mr. Torres and his son presented

3332a threat to the health or safety of O.G. in contravention of

3344section 397.415(1)(d)2.

3346iii. Count IV

334930. J.W., who did not testify, is a 42 - year - old male who

3364was discharged from a hospital on October 9, 2017 (after being

3375Baker Acted), and admitted to Petitioner's facility the same day

3385to receive PHP services. He was diagnosed as having mental

3395health and substance abuse issues and a history of suicidality.

3405He voluntarily left the facility on November 9, 2017. In its

3416PRO, Petitioner characterizes J.W. as "a disgruntled addict."

342431. While a resident at the facility, J.W. received a few

3435video sessions with a Miami Springs psychiatrist, who was

3444identified on the renewal applicatio ns as the facility m edical

3455d irector, and he was given online counseling sessions for two

3466weeks by an LMHC, who resided in Palm Bay and worked as an

3479independent contractor with the facility. Neither professional

3486was told by Mr. Torres that Petitioner was n ot licensed to

3498provide PHP services. By providing PHP services to J.W.,

3507Petitioner violated sections 397.401(1) and 397.415(1)(a)2.c.

351332. According to the LMHC, on October 24, 2017, she was

3524directed by Mr. Torres, who is not a licensed clinician, to

"3535d ischarge" J.W. from the PHP program and place him in a lower

3548level of care, Sober Living. Resp. Ex. 25. This would still

3559allow J.W. to remain a resident at the facility but not receive

3571the PHP services. Although the charging document alleges that

3580J.W. d id not wish to be discharged from the PHP program, and this

3594caused him to have a relapse in his condition and later Baker

3606Acted again, there is no competent evidence to establish this

3616string of events.

3619iv. Count V

362233. Section 397.411 requires all license es to provide

3631Department representatives access to their facilities and to

3639allow the inspection of pertinent records. Based upon

3647information from a provider in Jacksonville that Mr. Torres had

3657requested its assistance in providing PHP services to J.W., th e

3668Department instituted an investigation of Petitioner. In January

36762018, the Department attempted to conduct an onsite inspection of

3686Petitioner's facilities and to review the files relating to J.W.

3696The inspectors were denied entry. Thereafter, the Depar tment

3705sent a written request to Petitioner for the records of J.W. and

3717O.G. No records were provided and Petitioner failed to respond

3727to the request. These actions constituted a violation of section

3737397.411.

373834. At hearing, Mr. Torres contended (through argument)

3746that because the Department had already taken preliminary action

3755on December 1, 2017, to deny his applications, there was no

3766requirement that he provide access to the facility or respond to

3777written requests for records. This assertion has been rejected.

3786See § 397.411(1)(c), Fla. Stat. (an application for licensure as

3796a service provider constitutes full permission for an authorized

3805agent of the department to enter and inspect at any time).

3816CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

381935. Because the Department seeks to impose a penalty, it

3829has the burden of proving the alleged violations, and the

3839propriety of the proposed fine, by clear and convincing evidence.

3849Dep't of Banking & Fin. v. Osborne Stern & Co. , 670 So. 2d 932,

3863935 (Fla. 1996). If this burden is satisfied , Petitioner must

3873prove by a preponderance of the evidence that its applications

3883should be approved, notwithstanding any violations that are

3891proven. Fla. Dep't of Child. & Fam. v. Davis Fam. Day Care Home ,

3904160 So. 3d 854, 857 (Fla. 2015)(Canady, J., disse nting).

391436. In this case, notice of specific rules allegedly

3923violated was not given to the licensee. Therefore, only the

3933alleged violations based on statutory grounds have been

3941considered. See, e.g. , United Wis. Life Ins. Co. v. Office of

3952Ins. Reg. , 8 49 So. 2d 417, 422 (Fla. 1st DCA 2003)(where licensee

3965is not given reasonable notice of the applicability of a

3975particular rule, a finding of a violation cannot be based on that

3987rule) . The undersigned has used the clear and convincing

3997standard in evaluatin g the evidence.

400337. The Department is authorized to deny an application for

4013licensure if it determines that the licensed provider "is not in

4024compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements."

4031§ 397.415(1), Fla. Stat.

403538. By clear and convinc ing evidence, the Department has

4045established that Petitioner's applications were not timely filed,

4053and they were incomplete. §§ 397.407(8) and 397.403(1)(f), Fla.

4062Stat.

406339. By clear and convincing evidence, the Department has

4072established that Petitione r twice provided substance abuse

4080services to O.G. from an unlicensed facility (the family home of

4091Mr. Torres) in violation of section 397.401(1).

409840. By clear and convincing evidence, the Department has

4107established that the actions of Mr. Torres and his son, both

4118officers of the licensee, presented a threat to the health and

4129safety of O.G. in violation of section 397.415(1)(a)2.c.

413741. By clear and convincing evidence, the Department has

4146established that Petitioner rendered services "beyond the scope

4154of [its] license" by providing PHP services to J.W. in violation

4165of section 397.415(1)(a)2.c.

416842. In summary, other than the allegation in Count IV that

4179Petitioner's actions presented a threat to the health or safety

4189of J.W., all charges in Counts I through V have been proven. The

4202evidence clearly and convincingly supports the Department's

4209denial of the two renewal applications. However, the request to

4219impose a $2,500.00 administrative fine should be denied.

4228RECOMMENDATION

4229Based on the foregoing Findings o f Fact and Conclusions of

4240Law, it is

4243RECOMMENDED that the Department of Children and Families

4251enter a final order denying the applications for renewal of

4261Petitioner's two licenses. An administrative fine should not be

4270imposed.

4271DONE AND ENTERED this 27th day of September , 2018 , in

4281Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida.

4285S

4286D. R. ALEXANDER

4289Administrative Law Judge

4292Division of Administrative Hearings

4296The DeSoto Building

42991230 Apalachee Parkway

4302Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 3060

4307(85 0) 488 - 9675

4312Fax Filing (850) 921 - 6847

4318www.doah.state.fl.us

4319Filed with the Clerk of the

4325Division of Administrative Hearings

4329this 27th day of September , 2018 .

4336ENDNOTE S

43381/ On June 18, 2018, or seven days before the hearing, Mr. Torres

4351filed his first set of proposed (but not admitted) E xhibits 1

4363through 42 and 44 through 83 . Over the next three days, he

4376submitted revised or supplemental exhibits seven times. In all,

4385the proposed exhibits comprise hundreds of pages, some numbered,

4394others identified by ei ther single or multiple letters, and some

4405on a thumb drive that could not be opened or accessed by the

4418Clerk's Office. Collectively, they present a daunting task to

4427assemble in a coherent manner. Mr. Torres says it was necessary

4438to file them in this mann er because he had inadequate time to

4451prepare his exhibits after receiving notice of the amended charges

4461in February 2018, he is not an attorney, and he had to compile

4474documents to fight charges going all the way back to 2005, when he

4487operated a facility in Arizona. Although the proposed exhibits

4496were filed with the Clerk's Office, in most cases they were not

4508provided to Department counsel until the day of the hearing.

4518During his examination of Department witnesses, Mr. Torres

4526referred to a number of his p roposed exhibits. However, the

4537exhibits actually received in evidence are listed in the

4546Preliminary Statement. The Department's proposed Exhibits 1

4553through 20 were pre - filed on April 2, 2018, while Exhibits 22

4566through 24 were filed on May 11 and June 14, 2018. Exhibits 25

4579through 27 are three depositions taken in May 2018, and in which

4591both parties participated. Although Mr. Torres argued that he did

4601not receive all of the Department ' s pre - filed exhibits, they were

4615sent to him by Federal Express or emai l .

46252/ Department Exhibit 24, an admission document for resident O.G.

4635to an Intensive Outpatient Program dated August 22, 2017, was

4645inadvertently referred to as Exhibit 26 in the record.

46543/ For the sake of efficiency, Petitioner's m otion was granted at

4666hearing, subject to the undersigned determining which, if any, of

4676the statutes and regulations were relevant to these cases. Very

4686few statutes and regulations, if any, have any relevance to the

4697issues, as they were not used as a basis to deny the applicat ions.

4711For example, the m otion cites numerous Arizona administrative

4720regulations that were in effect "up until 2012," and various

4730Arizona statutes, presumably for the purpose of allowing

4738Mr. Torres to relitigate in this proceeding two adverse rulings

4748rend ered against him by an Arizona Superior Court in 2005 and

47602012, when he operated a facility in that state. See Resp. Ex. 7

4773and 8.

47754/ A more comprehensive description of Level 2 residential

4784programs is found in Florida Administrative Code R ule 65D -

479530.0 07(2)(b).

47975/ According to a Department witness, an individual receiving

4806PHP services is provided eight hours of services each day, five

4817days per week. An individual receiving IOP services is provided

4827three hours of services each day, three days per w eek.

48386/ Prior to the hearing, Mr. Torres arranged a video telephone

4849conference call with a representative of an Arizona company that

4859created the software for PLADS. However, he failed to provide

4869notice to Department counsel so that counsel could partici pate.

4879His request to have the videotape accepted in evidence was

4889denied.

4890COPIES FURNISHED:

4892T. Shane DeBoard, Esquire

4896Department of Children and Families

4901Suite S - 1129

4905400 West Robinson Street

4909Orlando, Florida 32801

4912(eServed)

4913Lacey Kantor, Esquire

4916Depa rtment of Children and Families

4922Building 2, Room 204Z

49261317 Winewood Boulevard

4929Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 0700

4934(eServed)

4935Roberto Torres, Jr.

49388297 Champions Gate Boulevard

4942Champions Gate, Florida 33896

4946(eServed)

4947Takisha Richardson, Esquire

4950Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll, PLLC

4956Suite 200

49582925 PGA Boulevard

4961Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410

4966(eServed)

4967John Jackson, Acting General Counsel

4972Department of Children and Families

4977Building 2, Room 204F

49811317 Winewood Boulevard

4984Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 0700

4989(e S erv ed)

4993Rebecca Kapusta, Interim Secretary

4997Department of Children and Fami lie s

5004Building 1, Room 202

50081317 Winewood Boulevard

5011Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 0700

5016(e S erved)

5019NOTICE OF RIGHT TO SUBMIT EXCEPTIONS

5025All parties have the right to submit written excepti ons within

503615 days from the date of this Recommended Order. Any exceptions

5047to this Recommended Order should be filed with the agency that

5058will issue the Final Order in this case.

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Date
Proceedings
PDF:
Date: 10/25/2018
Proceedings: Agency Final Order
PDF:
Date: 10/25/2018
Proceedings: Agency Final Order filed.
PDF:
Date: 10/05/2018
Proceedings: Transmittal letter from Claudia Llado forwarding Petitioner's Exhibits to Petitioner.
PDF:
Date: 09/27/2018
Proceedings: Recommended Order
PDF:
Date: 09/27/2018
Proceedings: Recommended Order cover letter identifying the hearing record referred to the Agency.
PDF:
Date: 09/27/2018
Proceedings: Recommended Order (hearing held June 25, 2018). CASE CLOSED.
PDF:
Date: 09/21/2018
Proceedings: Petitioner's Proposed Recommended Order (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 09/19/2018
Proceedings: Respondent's Proposed Recommended Order filed.
PDF:
Date: 08/22/2018
Proceedings: Notice of Filing Transcript.
PDF:
Date: 06/22/2018
Proceedings: Witnesses for the Petitioners (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 06/21/2018
Proceedings: Proposed Third Set of Supplemental Exhibits for the Petitioner (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 06/20/2018
Proceedings: Petitioner's Motion for Official Recognition of Federal and State Laws (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 06/20/2018
Proceedings: Proposed Second Set Supplemental Exhibits for the Petitioner (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 06/20/2018
Proceedings: USB Drive (not available for viewing) filed.
PDF:
Date: 06/20/2018
Proceedings: Motion to Strike Respondents' Claim for Fraud on the Court, Spoliation, and Discovery Abuse and alternative Motion for Other Sanctions (2nd set of Exhibits Aa-Ba; filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 06/20/2018
Proceedings: Motion to Strike Respondents' Claim for Fraud on the Court, Spoliation, and Discovery Abuse and alternative Motion for Other Sanctions (Exhibits A-Z; filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 06/20/2018
Proceedings: Motion to Compel Discovery Reqponses to Interrogatories (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 06/20/2018
Proceedings: Motion to Compel Request for Admissions (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 06/20/2018
Proceedings: Motion to Compel Request for Production (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 06/19/2018
Proceedings: Order Denying Motion to Strike.
PDF:
Date: 06/19/2018
Proceedings: Respondent's Motion for Official Recognition filed.
PDF:
Date: 06/19/2018
Proceedings: Objection to Petitioner's Proposed Exhibits filed.
PDF:
Date: 06/19/2018
Proceedings: Witnesses for the Department; Exhibits for the Department filed.
PDF:
Date: 06/19/2018
Proceedings: Supplemental Petitioners Exhibit List AAa-ABe (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 06/19/2018
Proceedings: Witnesses for the Petitioners; Proposed Exhibits for the Petitioner (Supplemental Petitioners Exhibit List Aa-Az; filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 06/19/2018
Proceedings: Witnesses for the Petitioners; Proposed Exhibits for the Petitioner Exhibit List A-Z (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 06/18/2018
Proceedings: Witnesses the Petitioners and Proposed Exhibits for the Petitioners (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 06/18/2018
Proceedings: Motion to Strike Redundant, Immaterial, Impertinent, or Scandalous Matter (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 06/15/2018
Proceedings: Order Denying Motion for Continuance.
PDF:
Date: 06/15/2018
Proceedings: Order Denying Motion for Reconsideration.
PDF:
Date: 06/15/2018
Proceedings: Objection to Motion for Continuance filed.
PDF:
Date: 06/14/2018
Proceedings: Motion for Continuance (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 06/13/2018
Proceedings: Second Supplemental Exhibits for the Department filed.
PDF:
Date: 06/13/2018
Proceedings: Non-Party's Response to Petitioner's Motion to Reconsider Order to Quash Subpoena filed.
PDF:
Date: 06/12/2018
Proceedings: Order Granting Verfied Motion to Quash.
PDF:
Date: 06/12/2018
Proceedings: Department of Children and Families' Response to Amended Third Request for Admissions filed.
PDF:
Date: 06/12/2018
Proceedings: Department of Children and Families' Response to Third Request for Admissions filed.
PDF:
Date: 06/11/2018
Proceedings: Petitioner's Motion to Compel Attendance (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 06/11/2018
Proceedings: Petitioner's Amended Third Request for Admission (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 06/08/2018
Proceedings: Verified Motion to Quash filed.
PDF:
Date: 06/08/2018
Proceedings: Petitioner's Third Request for Admissions (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 06/06/2018
Proceedings: Return of Service (for Olivia Grimmich; filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 06/06/2018
Proceedings: Affidavit of Service (of Dawn Biehl; filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 06/05/2018
Proceedings: Response to Motion to Reconsider Order to Quash Non-party Subpoena filed.
PDF:
Date: 06/05/2018
Proceedings: Notice of Ex Parte Communication.
PDF:
Date: 05/31/2018
Proceedings: Department of Children and Families' Response to Fourth Request for Production filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/31/2018
Proceedings: Department of Children and Families' Response to Third Set of Interrogatories filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/31/2018
Proceedings: Department of Children and Families' Response to Third Request for Production filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/30/2018
Proceedings: Deposition filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/30/2018
Proceedings: Deposition filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/30/2018
Proceedings: Letter to Judge Alexander from T. Shane DeBoard Regarding Depositions filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/30/2018
Proceedings: Deposition filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/29/2018
Proceedings: Order Granting Motion by Non-Party to Quash Subpoena.
PDF:
Date: 05/29/2018
Proceedings: Order Granting Motion to Quash Subpoena.
PDF:
Date: 05/29/2018
Proceedings: Department of Children and Families' Response to Second Request for Production filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/29/2018
Proceedings: Department of Children and Families' Response to Second Set of Interrogatories filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/24/2018
Proceedings: Verified Motion to Quash Service filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/22/2018
Proceedings: Subpoena Duces Tecum (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 05/21/2018
Proceedings: Department of Children and Families' Response to Amended Request for Production filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/21/2018
Proceedings: Department of Children and Families' Responses to First Set of Interrogatories filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/21/2018
Proceedings: Department of Children and Families' Response to Second Request of Admissions filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/21/2018
Proceedings: Department of Children and Families' Response to First Request of Admissions filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/18/2018
Proceedings: Motion by Non-party to Quash Subpoena filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/18/2018
Proceedings: Notice of Appearance filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/14/2018
Proceedings: Petitioner's Fourth Requests for Production (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 05/10/2018
Proceedings: Amended Subpoena Duces Tecum Olivia Grimmich (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 05/10/2018
Proceedings: Amended Subpoena Duces Tecum (Olivia Grimmich; filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 05/09/2018
Proceedings: Amended Subpoena Duces Tecum - (OG; filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 05/04/2018
Proceedings: Subpoena Duces Tecum (Riley Ann Biehl; filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 05/04/2018
Proceedings: Subpoena Duces Tecum (John Grimmich; filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 05/04/2018
Proceedings: Subpoena Duces Tecum (Valeria Ann Biehl; filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 05/04/2018
Proceedings: Subpoena Duces Tecum (Dawn Royer Biehl; filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 05/04/2018
Proceedings: Subpoena Duces Tecum (Brian Robert Biehl; filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 05/04/2018
Proceedings: Petitioner's Third Set of Interrogatories to Respondent (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 05/04/2018
Proceedings: Petitioner's Third Requests for Production (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 05/03/2018
Proceedings: Supplemental Exhibits for the Department filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/02/2018
Proceedings: Subpoena Duces Tecum (Olivia Grimmich; filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 04/30/2018
Proceedings: Petitioner's Response to Respondent's First Requests for Production (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 04/30/2018
Proceedings: Petitioner's Second Set of Interrogatories to Respondent (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 04/30/2018
Proceedings: Respondent's First Request for Production filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/30/2018
Proceedings: Petitioner's Second Requests for Production (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 04/30/2018
Proceedings: Petitioner's Second Request for Admissions to Respondent (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 04/26/2018
Proceedings: Petitioner's First Request for Admissions to Respondent (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 04/25/2018
Proceedings: Amended Petitioner's Notice of Serving First Set of Interrogatories to Respondent (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 04/25/2018
Proceedings: Petitioner's Notice of Serving First Set of Interrogatories to Respondent (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 04/24/2018
Proceedings: Notice of Taking Deposition filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/24/2018
Proceedings: Notice of Taking Deposition filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/24/2018
Proceedings: Notice of Taking Deposition filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/23/2018
Proceedings: Petitioner's Amended Requests for Production (filed in Case No. 18-000234). (Filed in error.)
PDF:
Date: 04/20/2018
Proceedings: FOIA Appeal (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 04/19/2018
Proceedings: Order Denying Amended Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction.
Date: 04/18/2018
Proceedings: CASE STATUS: Motion Hearing Held.
PDF:
Date: 04/10/2018
Proceedings: Petitioner's Memorandum in Opposition to Respondent's Amended Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 04/06/2018
Proceedings: Amended Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/04/2018
Proceedings: Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction filed.
Date: 04/02/2018
Proceedings: Department's Proposed Exhibits filed (exhibits not available for viewing).
PDF:
Date: 04/02/2018
Proceedings: Notice Filing (Verified Return of Service) filed.
PDF:
Date: 03/30/2018
Proceedings: Witnesses for the Department (and Exhibit List) filed.
PDF:
Date: 03/30/2018
Proceedings: Response to Petitioner's First Request for Production filed.
PDF:
Date: 03/20/2018
Proceedings: Second Notice of Hearing (hearing set for June 25 and 26, 2018; 9:30 a.m.; Orlando, FL; amended as to ).
PDF:
Date: 03/20/2018
Proceedings: Order Granting Joint Motion for Continuance (parties to advise status by March 31, 2018).
PDF:
Date: 03/19/2018
Proceedings: Joint Motion for Contiuance filed.
PDF:
Date: 03/19/2018
Proceedings: Withdrawal of Objection to Motion for Continuance filed.
PDF:
Date: 03/19/2018
Proceedings: Response to Petitioner's Motion for Continuance filed.
PDF:
Date: 03/19/2018
Proceedings: Petitioner's Response of Agreement with Respondent's Request for Motion for Continuance (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 03/19/2018
Proceedings: FOIA - Public Records Request (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 03/14/2018
Proceedings: Petitioner's First Request for Production (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 03/14/2018
Proceedings: Petitioner's Response to Amended Settlement Agreement v.3 (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 03/02/2018
Proceedings: Counter Offer to Settlement Agreement filed.
PDF:
Date: 02/16/2018
Proceedings: Order Granting Motion to Amend.
PDF:
Date: 02/08/2018
Proceedings: Motion to Amend (filed in Case No. 18-000234).
PDF:
Date: 02/08/2018
Proceedings: Motion to Amend filed.
PDF:
Date: 01/22/2018
Proceedings: Notice of Hearing (hearing set for April 11 and 12, 2018; 9:30 a.m.; Orlando, FL).
PDF:
Date: 01/22/2018
Proceedings: Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
PDF:
Date: 01/22/2018
Proceedings: Order of Consolidation (DOAH Case Nos. 18-0230, 18-0234).
PDF:
Date: 01/22/2018
Proceedings: Response to Intial Order filed.
PDF:
Date: 01/12/2018
Proceedings: Initial Order.
PDF:
Date: 01/11/2018
Proceedings: Request for Hearing filed.
PDF:
Date: 01/11/2018
Proceedings: Denial of Application to Renew License at 146 Sunset View Drive, Davenport, Florida 33896 filed.
PDF:
Date: 01/11/2018
Proceedings: Notice (of Agency referral) filed.

Case Information

Judge:
D. R. ALEXANDER
Date Filed:
01/11/2018
Date Assignment:
01/12/2018
Last Docket Entry:
10/25/2018
Location:
Orlando, Florida
District:
Middle
Agency:
ADOPTED IN TOTO
 

Counsels

Related Florida Statute(s) (5):