TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement as the Florida Veterans Protection Act (SB 294) passed the Florida House today and now heads to the Governor. This legislation will help protect veterans by adding the victimization of ten or more veterans as an aggravated white-collar crime.   CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “Our veterans are twice as likely to be targeted for scams than you or me. I applaud the Florida Legislature for taking vital steps to better protect Florida's veterans by holding the criminals who choose to defraud them accountable. Thank you to Senator Tom Wright and Representative Bobby Payne for championing this important legislation to protect our heroes.”

About CFO Jimmy Patronis  Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and Twitter (@FLDFS).