Investigation of a Broward mover found fraud, extortion and forgery, state says

Miami Herald

2 days ago

Extortion. Fraud. Forgery. A car chase.
It's not the latest Martin Scorcese gangster flick. The plots are customer narratives in a 69-page state complaint against the 25 companies owned by Fort Lauderdale-based mover Shawn Thompson.
Much of what's said about Thompson's moving companies in the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services administrative complaint has been said elsewhere: Miami Herald stories, emails to the Herald from customers, an Orlando TV station investigation, the Better Business Bureau website, Reddit threads, other online consumer complaints, even lawsuits won by former Thompson customers in Miami-Dade and Orange counties.
None of those carries the teeth of an administrative fine of up to $5,000 for each violation of Florida statutes. And the Agriculture Department accused Thompson's companies of 23 violations in the June 9 version of the complaint first filed earlier in 2025.
The investigation found customers with their own version of stories: a low estimate drawing the customer in for the punch of a bloated invoice while possessions are still on the truck. Pay in cash or certified funds or watch the furniture taken to an undisclosed location and get charged a daily storage fee — even if the original estimate included 30-day free storage.
And, sometimes, that followed moves Thompson's companies aren't licensed to make.
A check of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website shows none have held state licenses since July 6, 2024. The agency denied renewal while conducting the investigation that resulted in the administrative complaint filed on June 9.
None of the companies run by Shawn Thompson through associates or Thompson Nation Holdings have held federal licenses. They rely on customers not checking. Next Door Relocation's website advertises 'services across any state in the United States,' but also shows U.S. Department of Transportation No. 4003308.
The USDOT says No. 4003308, Next Door Relocation, is 'not authorized to engage in interstate, for-hire operations.'
The phone number on Next Door's entry is Shawn Thompson's number.
After Thompson and his attorney received the administrative complaint on June 13 by certified mail, Thompson had 21 days to file an Election of Rights to request an informal hearing or a formal hearing before an administrative law judge. Requesting a formal hearing requires filing a disputing of material facts alleged in the complaint.
Not filing the Election of Rights on time is a waiver of hearing rights and, according to the Agriculture Department, 'may result in the issuance of a Final Order without any further notice that may impose up to the maximum penalties...'
Thompson repeatedly has requested the Miami Herald not call, text or email him for response on stories about his moving companies.
What follows comes from the administrative complaint:
Customer A.S.
The move: 1,115 miles, to start Aug. 10-14, 2020. The movers eventually showed up on Aug. 16, a day after A.S. needed to be out of his home.
Thompson-owned company used: Fresh Start Moving and Storage, LLC, 3635 Park Central Blvd., Suite 2, Pompano Beach.
Licensed for move? No. The complaint notes that U.S. Department of Transportation's SAFER says Fresh Start, USDOT No. 336032, is 'not authorized to engage in interstate, for-hire operations.'
The estimate: $1,300, $200 deposit with $770 cash due at pickup (in cash) and $330 cash due at drop-off. A.S. had been told $550 would be due at pickup and $550 due at the finish. Also, state law says movers must accept at least two forms of payment.
The money demand: After pickup and before drop-off, A.S. was told to pay an extra $1,500 in addition to the $330 or the movers 'would not come and instead would throw ... belongings in storage.' On Aug. 27, a company employee said the customer would have to pay an extra $3,400 on top of the $330.
Extra details: A.S. had to call 911 during pickup when 'after taking a few items, the movers said that the goods exceeded the amount of space and they would not take any other item.' When the movers threatened to leave unless they got $3,400, A.S. called local police. Police talked the movers down to a $810 'shuttle service' fee.
Customer B.W.
The move: 23 miles on Nov. 14, 2020.
Thompson-owned company used: Fresh Start Moving and Storage, LLC, 3635 Park Central Blvd. North, Pompano Beach.
Licensed for move? Yes, as a Thompson Nation Holdings company making a move within Florida.
The estimate: $800. B.W. paid a $200 deposit by credit card.
The money demand: Shawn Thompson personally demanded another $2,100 in cash — movers must accept at least two forms of payment — before unloading.
Extra details: A freezer and a new $1,300 slipcover were damaged. The invoice claimed B.W. paid the $2,100 by credit card.
Customer D.D.
The move: 80 miles in January 2021.
Thompson-owned company used: Fresh Start Moving and Storage, LLC, 3635 Park Central Blvd. North, Pompano Beach.
Licensed for move? Yes, as a Thompson Nation Holdings company making a move within Florida.
The estimate: $712.89. Customer D.D. paid a $200 deposit with the remaining amount to be paid at delivery 'cash only.' Florida law says movers must accept at least two forms of payment.
The money demand: The movers told D.D. to pay $1,028 instead of $512.89 before unloading. The customer got together $900 by credit card cash and cash transfer.
Extra details: The movers didn't bring all the furniture inside nor did they reassemble two beds as the estimate said they would. When D.D. saw several damaged items, she didn't sign the part of the contract where the customer states there were no damaged items. But Thompson or a Thompson Nation Holdings representative, 'without authority, signed (D.D.'s) name to the contract/bill of labor.'
Customer S.B.
The move: 60 miles on Feb. 22, 2021.
Thompson-owned company used: Fresh Start Moving and Storage, LLC, 3635 Park Central Blvd. North, Pompano Beach.
Licensed for move? Yes, as a Thompson Nation Holdings company making a move within Florida.
The estimate: $600 for one truck and three movers.
The money demand: Only two movers showed up and demanded S.B. pay an extra $500 before unloading at the delivery point.
Extra details: 'S.B. got into the moving truck, which held her household goods, and was hit by one of (Thompson Nation's) movers. A neighbor called the police, who told [the customer] that their hands were tied. S.B. feared for her safety because (the) mover was glaring at her, knew where she lived and where her bedroom was located. Consequently, S.B. did not file charges against him. She had to seek medical assistance for the injuries...' Only a petrified wood dining table escaped damage.
Customer J.G.
The move: 77 miles on June 18, 2021.
Thompson-owned company used: Fresh Start Moving and Storage, LLC, 3635 Park Central Blvd. North, Pompano Beach.
Licensed for move? Yes, as a Thompson Nation Holdings company making a move within Florida.
The estimate: $460 for one truck and three movers. J.G. paid Shawn Thompson $300 via Venmo as a deposit. The remaining $160 was to be paid at delivery 'cash only,' an illegal payment form requirement.
The money demand: Upon showing up for the move several hours late, movers immediately told J.G. the remaining amount wouldn't be $160 but $436. J.G. paid that. They charged an extra $100 for overnight storage that wouldn't have been necessary had they arrived on time. At the new house, they demanded $905 to unload 'or they would leave.'
Extra details: When the truck arrived at J.G.'s new home, it 'ran over J.G.'s and her neighbor's mailboxes.' Police were called about the upcharge, but they just told the movers 'their math was wrong.'
Customer J.B.
The move: Unstated distance on July 1, 2022.
Thompson-owned company used: Small Move Movers, 3635 Park Central Blvd. North, Pompano Beach.
Licensed for move? Unclear from the complaint, which doesn't state whether it's an intrastate move or an interstate move.
The estimate: $3,861.
The money demand: Small Move's movers demanded J.B. pay $9,874 to get her things off the truck.
Extra details: She paid, but 'noticed that all the items delivered were damaged and that some were still missing.'
Nicolette Gonzalez
(Gonzalez's name has been in public records and media reports as the plaintiff who successfully sued Thompson in Miami-Dade County)
The move: Miami to Gainesville, July 23, 2022.
Thompson-owned company used: Small Move Movers, 3635 Park Central Blvd. North, Pompano Beach.
Licensed for move? Yes, as a Thompson Nation Holdings company making a move within Florida.
The estimate: $1,146. Gonzalez paid $330 to Thompson via Zelle.
The money demand: They hit Gonzalez with a $4,719 invoice upon arrival in Gainesville. The movers 'threatened and mocked Gonzalez and told her that if she did not pay the invoice amount, they were going to withhold her belongings and break them.'
Extra details: The movers arrived two hours late, then took 12 hours to get to Gainesville, telling Gonzalez they took on an emergency job. Gonzalez sued Small Move, Thompson Nation Holdings and Shawn Thompson in Miami-Dade civil court and won a judgment of $7,691 plus attorneys fees and an injunction against the three entities. Thompson has appealed. Judge Michael Barket wrote that by Thompson's own deposition words, he 'extorted Ms. Gonzalez by accepting only payment of the inflated invoice and discounted inflated invoice. Without question, then, Mr. Thompson was a direct participant in this unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent scheme.'
Customer S.K.
The move: 1 mile on Dec. 22, 2022.
Thompson-owned company used: All American Relocation and Storage, 6742 NW 17th Ave., Fort Lauderdale.
Licensed for move? Yes, as a Thompson Nation Holdings company making a move within Florida.
The estimate: $450.
The money demand: Movers told S.K. she now owed $790.40 or they would keep S.K.'s property and charge storage fees. The estimate included 30 days of free storage.
Extra details: She paid the $790, but movers still 'did not unload her belongings inside the home, but instead, the movers dumped all the boxes near the garage. Movers also damaged the dresser and the main door to the home.'
Customer B.B.
The move: Florida to North Carolina, delivery for March 17, 2023.
Thompson-owned company used: Next Door Relocation, 6742 NW 17th Ave., Fort Lauderdale.
Licensed for move: No. The U.S. Department of Transportation SAFER website says Next Door Relocation, USDOT No. 4003308, 'is not authorized to engage in interstate, for-hire operations.'
The estimate: $1,266 for 300 cubic ft. B.B. paid a $350 deposit.
The money demand: Upon loading the truck on March 14, 2023, and after telling her she was under 300 cubic ft so she could add smaller items, Next Door sent B.B. an invoice for $2,761. B.B. complained and got a new invoice for $2,230. She paid $1,316, so she'd paid $1,666 at this point. Next Door told her $564 remained. The day before delivery, she got sent an invoice with a new total of $2,657. And the movers demanded another $450.
Extra details: 'B.B. paid a total of $3,107 for the move and had to sleep on the floor for 10 days because Next Door did not deliver her belongings as originally promised.'
Customer R.D.
The move: 30 miles on April 6, 2023.
Thompson-owned company used: Next Door Relocation, 6742 NW 17th Ave., Fort Lauderdale.
Licensed for move? Yes, as a Thompson Nation Holdings company making a move within Florida.
The estimate: $426.25. R.D. paid a $200 deposit.
The money demand: Movers demanded $5,167 in cash or certified funds. Banks weren't open, so they charged R.D. another $599 for 'hotel/OD' fee. R.D. eventually paid $2,100 in cash and $3,267 by cashier's check.
Extra details: The final invoice from Next Door said 'Total Job Volume: 431 cf.,' differing from Next Door's claim that R.D.'s goods filled up a 1,700 cubic foot truck. Among the extra charges was a $900 'long carry/delivery fee' for a 30-mile move.
Customer L.G.
The move: 181 miles on April 15, 2023.
Thompson-owned company used: Next Door Relocation, 6742 NW 17th Ave., Fort Lauderdale.
Licensed for move? Yes, as a Thompson Nation Holdings company making a move within Florida.
The estimate: $450. L.G. paid a $350 deposit. The estimate misstated Next Door's city as 'Pompano Beach.'
The money demand: None because the movers never showed up. Not on April 15, when L.G. was told they would show up at 8 p.m., but had to stay in a hotel. Not on April 16, when she was told someone would be there at noon, then at 2 p.m. But, her $350 deposit wasn't returned.
Extra details: L.G. rented a truck and moved herself. She gave up money for nothing, and Next Door got $350 for free.
Customer D.Q. and L.Q.
The move: 371 miles on April 29 and 30, 2023.
Thompson-owned company used: Next Door Relocation, 6742 NW 17th Ave., Fort Lauderdale.
Licensed for move? Yes, as a Thompson Nation Holdings company making a move within Florida.
The estimate: $1,194. The couple paid $400 deposit.
The money demand: Instead of the remaining $794, movers kept the couple's goods and demanded $14,676. The volume of possessions didn't change from the estimate. The estimate was for three movers. Next Door tried to charge for eight and charged $1,200 over the estimate for the travel time. Among the other add-ons: an 'Origin/destination' fee added ($1,000) and 'Transportation surcharge' of 22% or $2,646.
Extra details: Next Door 'refused to negotiate a settlement with (the couple). Their belongings included (his) military history articles and those of his father. (They) had to purchase new items for their children.'
Customer T.S.
The move: A move within Florida, late in 2023.
Thompson-owned company used: One Man One Van, 2814 Silver Star Rd., Suite 219, Orlando.
Licensed for move? Yes, as a Thompson Nation Holdings company making a move within Florida.
The estimate: $420.
The money demand: Movers wouldn't unload T.S.' things without a $2,063 payment. The complaint says they charged four more hours of labor than actually worked. They also added $93 mileage fee, $600 bulky item fee, $249 origin/destination (which applies only for out of state moves) and a $308 transportation surcharge, none of which she was told she'd have to pay.
Extra details: The movers 'caused significant damage' the dining room table tabletop, the buffet table and the entertainment center. They also didn't set up the dining room table and television as they said they would.
Customer J.C.
The move: Florida to Georgia in 2024.
Thompson-owned company used: Stellar Relocation, 1701 Acme St., Orlando.
Licensed for move? No. The U.S. Department of Transportation SAFER company snapshot of Stellar's USDOT No. 4278397 says Stellar is 'not authorized to engage in interstate, for-hire operations.'
The estimate: $2,450 for 700 cubic feet
The money demand: Movers told J.C. they reached 700 cubic feet with more possessions to load. Once they loaded, J.C. got an invoice for $11,550. Stellar told J.C. he'd need to pay $7,000 cash just to unload the truck. J.C. didn't have that on hand, so movers 'drove off with his belongings on the truck' and told him he'd be charged $250 per day for storage. After 30 days, they'd auction off his possessions. J.C. eventually paid the $7,000. Stellar demanded another $2,900, claiming they were moving 1,600 cubic feet of possessions.
Extra details: Before the movers left, J.C. called police. Officers 'tried to reason with (Stellar) but, ultimately, told J.C. that there was nothing they could do.' Stellar's manager told J.C. they couldn't bring his stuff to the delivery destination because it didn't have access for a tractor trailer. J.C. rented two storage bays. 'Movers arrived in the same size box truck that they had used when they first came to J.C.'s residence in Florida ... the movers could have easily driven to the agreed upon delivery address.' J.C. had to hire other movers to take his stuff from the storage bays to his new home.
Customer A.P.
The move: 10 miles to Eustis, Jan 26, 2024.
Thompson-owned company used: Todays Move Movers, 2814 Silver Star Rd., No. 219, Orlando after calling Hello Movers for an estimate. Hello's 'personal moving consultant' sent A.P. an email with the number for Todays Move. State records don't show a direct connection between Hello Movers and Todays Move.
Licensed for move? Yes. This was a move within Florida by Todays Move, a company under Thompson Nation Holdings.
The estimate: $625. A.P. paid $200 via CashApp. The remaining $425 was due on the day of the move.
The money demand: Todays Move movers received $425 in cash from A.P. upon arrival for the move. As they reached the Eustis delivery point, A.P. got emailed an invoice for $6,182. And, they said they'd hold her possessions in a warehouse and charge her $220 per day until she paid. A.P. and her husband paid, but an invoice later said she paid only $5,500.
Extra details: Todays Move, the complaint said, 'charged A.P. for packing materials and for bulky items. However, all of A.P's belongings were already boxed and put in containers.'
Customer E.S.
The move: A move within Florida on May 9, 2024.
Thompson-owned company used: We Move You, 28 E. Main St., Suite No. 139, Avon Park. 'This address is a virtual mailbox only.'
Licensed for move? Yes. It's one of the companies run by Thompson under a fictitious name.
The estimate: $1,033. A $400 was paid. E.S. packed his belongings and had them waiting in the garage.
The money demand: When movers arrived, E.S. paid $2,940 in cash and $500 via money order. Once movers loaded the truck, E.S. got a new estimate: $7,107. No unloading until they get a wire transfer from E.S.
Extras details: The movers left with E.S.'s belongings and refused to tell him where they were taking them. So, the customer's wife followed the truck. The driver 'ran red lights and stop signs and drove erratically' in an attempt to lose E.S.'s spouse and keep the storage location secret. When the drivers called police about the wife, police told them 'she could follow them because they had her stuff and it was a public street.' E.S. eventually paid the full $7,107 and got most of his possessions.
Customer P.M.
The move: Lakeland, Florida to Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, July 1, 2024.
Thompson-owned company used: Todays Move Movers, 2814 Silver Star Rd., No. 219, Orlando.
Licensed for move? No. The U.S. Department of Transportation SMS company snapshot of Todays Move, USDOT No. 4176294, says the company is 'no current, for hire, operating authority' for state-to-state moves.
The estimate: $1,681 for 432 cubic feet after a 'detailed article list of 14 items, 17 pieces.' P.M. paid $400 deposit via credit card. No one from Todays Move signed the estimate.
The money demand: Todays Move demanded $8,997 from P.M.
Extra details: Todays Move 'delivered a bed and mattress to a wrong destination, according to P.M. (Todays Move) did not respond to this error or attempt to deliver the items to the correct destination.'
Customer T.A.
The move: An interstate move in Autumn 2024.
Thompson-owned company used: Level Up Relocation, 1701 Acme St., Orlando.
Licensed for move? No. The U.S. Department of Transportation's SAFER website says Level Up, USDOT No. 4279151, is 'not authorized to engage in interstate, for-hire operations.'
The estimate: $2,398. $1,488 was paid. T.A. gave a detailed list of items that added up to 807 cubic feet.
The money demand: After loading, the movers dropped an invoice of $11,043 on T.A., claiming 1800 cubic feet of items. The movers refused to deliver T.A.'s possessions as contracted.
Extras details: T.A. reached out to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier, Safety Administration for help. The agency got the movers to 'return most of T.A.'s belongings to her at the delivery destination. She suffered damage to her belongings, and some items were missing.'
Company names in the complaint
Thompson Nation Holdings, LLC
2 Men, One Truck Movers
All American Relocation and Storage
All American Relocation and Storage, LLC
All American Relocation, LLC
All Stars Moving and Storage
All Stars Moving and Storage LLC
American Relocation and Storage
Fresh Start Moving and Storage
Fresh Start Moving and Storage, LLC
Green Go Moving
Level Up Relocation
Moving Giants
Next Door Relocation, LLC
One Man One Truck Moving
One Man One Van Moving
One Man One Van, LLC
Small Move Movers
Small Mover Movers, LLC
Stellar Relocation
Thompson Nation of Movers, Inc.
Todays Move Movers
Todays Move Movers, LLC
Two Man One Truck Movers
We Move You