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The Florida Senate

2006 Florida Statutes

Section 560.125, Florida Statutes 2006

560.125  Money transmitter business by unauthorized persons; penalties.--

(1)  A person other than a registered money transmitter or authorized vendor may not engage in the business of a money transmitter in this state unless the person is exempted from the registration requirements of the code.

(2)  No person shall act as a vendor of a money transmitter when such money transmitter is subject to registration under the code but has not registered. Any such person becomes the principal thereof, and no longer merely acts as a vendor, and such person is liable to the holder or remitter as a principal money transmitter.

(3)  Any person whose substantial interests are affected by a proceeding brought by the office pursuant to the code may, pursuant to s. 560.113, petition any court to enjoin the person or activity that is the subject of the proceeding from violating any of the provisions of this section. For the purpose of this subsection, any money transmitter registered pursuant to the code, any person residing in this state, and any person whose principal place of business is in this state are presumed to be substantially affected. In addition, the interests of a trade organization or association are deemed substantially affected if the interests of any of its members are so affected.

(4)  The office may issue and serve upon any person who violates any of the provisions of this section a complaint seeking a cease and desist order in accordance with the procedures and in the manner prescribed by s. 560.112 The office may also impose an administrative fine pursuant to s. 560.117(3) against any person who violates any of the provisions of this section.

(5)  A person who violates this section, if the violation involves:

(a)  Currency or payment instruments exceeding $300 but less than $20,000 in any 12-month period, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084

(b)  Currency or payment instruments totaling or exceeding $20,000 but less than $100,000 in any 12-month period, commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084

(c)  Currency or payment instruments totaling or exceeding $100,000 in any 12-month period, commits a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084

(6)  In addition to the penalties authorized by s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, a person who has been found guilty of or who has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to having violated this section may be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding $250,000 or twice the value of the currency or payment instruments, whichever is greater, except that on a second or subsequent violation of this section, the fine may be up to $500,000 or quintuple the value of the currency or payment instruments, whichever is greater.

(7)  A person who violates this section is also liable for a civil penalty of not more than the value of the currency or payment instruments involved or $25,000, whichever is greater.

(8)  In any prosecution brought pursuant to this section, the common law corpus delicti rule does not apply. The defendant's confession or admission is admissible during trial without the state having to prove the corpus delicti if the court finds in a hearing conducted outside the presence of the jury that the defendant's confession or admission is trustworthy. Before the court admits the defendant's confession or admission, the state must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that there is sufficient corroborating evidence that tends to establish the trustworthiness of the statement by the defendant. Hearsay evidence is admissible during the presentation of evidence at the hearing. In making its determination, the court may consider all relevant corroborating evidence, including the defendant's statements.

History.--s. 1, ch. 94-238; s. 1, ch. 94-354; s. 9, ch. 2000-360; s. 705, ch. 2003-261.