Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announces settlement at the Tampa Law Center
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi held a press conference on July 8 at Stetson’s Tampa Law Center to announce a $136 million joint state-federal settlement with Chase Bank USA N.A. and Chase Bankcard Services Inc. for its unlawful credit card debt collection practices.
The settlement was reached with Chase and 48 attorneys general, the District of Columbia, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Florida will receive the largest remedial payment of any state in the settlement. Attorney General Bondi announced that $15.3 million will go to 47 non-profit organizations across the state to be used for legal services, financial literacy, and other programs related to assisting Floridians with managing debt. Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Elder Law and Consumer Fraud Project are expected to receive $60,000.
“Today, I am announcing an agreement we can all be proud of. Now Chase customers will have more protections, eligible customers who were unfairly affected by these debt collection practices will receive restitution and non-profit organizations across our state will gain additional resources to continue helping Floridians in need,” said Attorney General Bondi, a 1990 graduate of Stetson University College of Law.
Roberta Flowers, Stetson professor of law and co-director of the Center for Excellence in Elder Law, attended the press conference, along with leaders from other non-profit organizations.
“Stetson University College of Law has a proud history of working for and with the elderly of Florida. For many years, the Center for Excellence in Elder Law at Stetson has educated seniors, their families and friends about the greedy predators who want only to steal their hard earned money and life savings,” said Professor Flowers. “We are very grateful for the Attorney General’s continued support for our efforts to protect our vulnerable elders through our Consumer Fraud Project.”
Post date: July 8, 2015
Media contact: Kate Bradshaw
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