Dangerous pork and pastries among a Kendall bakery's inspection problems
Monday's visit to Caliz Cake Design, 15588 SW 72nd St., by Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services inspectors Wenndy Ayerdis and trainee Margaret Alvarez resulted in 'Re-Inspection Required,' the Ag Department's version of a failed inspection.
Ag Department inspectors can't shut a place down. They can, however, order food into the garbage and take equipment out of action. The inspectors did.
Here's some of what they found:
MORE: Pinecrest's Wayside Market failed its most recent state inspection
▪ The food service area ice machine had 'black mold-like grime encrusted on the interior.'
▪ In the processing area, knives used for cutting bread for sandwiches, instead of being in a knife rack, were kept 'wedged between the two preparation tables across from the stove.'
▪ In the same area, the 'table and floor mixer attachment joint was found with old food residue.'
▪ Also, there was 'heavy dust accumulation on the fan installed above the preparation tables near the fryers.'
▪ The lids on containers for flour and powdered sugar had 'dust and old food residue encrusted' on them.
▪ 'Burned on grease deposits and carbon residue were encrusted on the exterior of multiple baking trays, pots and pans throughout the processing area.'
▪ 'Single-use aluminum baking cups for mini flan found being reused and stored throughout the processing area.'
▪ 'Grease was accumulated on filters of hood system installed above the fryer units and gas stove' in the processing area.
▪ In the food service area, there wasn't a splash guard between the handwash sink and the coffee machine.
▪ Food service area employees weren't 'wearing hair restraints while engaged in open food handling and preparation.'
▪ Food employees in both food service and food processing areas, 'did not wash hands between entering and exiting food preparation area and prior to donning gloves to handle food items.'
▪ Five 2-pound packs of 7 Stars Smoked Pork in the customer reach-in cooler 'were unable to be determined to come from an approved source, with no valid permit or manufacturer information provided by the establishment.' Also, the pork was only 71 degrees when it needed to be 41 degrees or under. Stop Sale on the pig flesh.
▪ At the hot counter, where food needs to be kept at 135 degrees or higher, the cheese pastelitos were 83 to 85 degrees and the beef pastries were 83 to 86 degrees. Stop Sales hit both, which were trashed.
▪ No probe thermometer was there to measure the fried eggs, sliced ham and cheese in the processing area. 'Food establishment needs to obtain a thin-stem probe thermometer by next routine inspection.'
▪ A Stop Use Order hit a silver General Electric refrigerator with an ambient temperature of 51 degrees. Refrigerated food needs to be kept at 41 degrees or less.
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Miami Herald
23-07-2025
- Miami Herald
See the 22 rules and customer rights the state says a Broward mover violated
Movers can't demand cash-only payments. They can't hold your children's possessions hostage for payment. They can't dump your furniture in front of your new home. Those are some rights of Florida moving customers. Florida movers have responsibilities. Keep reading to see the 22 ways a state investigation says those rights and responsibilities were ignored by Fort Lauderdale-based Shawn Thompson and his companies. The 69-page administrative complaint by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says the agency intends to impose a fine up to $5,000 for each violation. A year ago, the agency denied Thompson's companies license renewal for moves within the state. Officially, these violations are not those of Shawn Thompson, but of Thompson Nation Holdings, which does business as the other 24 moving companies listed on the complaint. State records list Thompson as the registered agent and the only authorized person for Thompson Nation Holdings. MORE: Investigation of a Broward mover found fraud, extortion and forgery, state says Some of the first violations listed in the complaint can be considered lazy, sloppy paperwork. The complaint builds to a final count that states Thompson 'committed other acts of fraud, misrepresentation or failure to disclose a material fact.' 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...' READ MORE: Three South Florida movers will pay $3.8M for a 'moving brokerage scheme,' state says Thompson repeatedly has requested the Miami Herald not to call, text or email him for response on stories about his moving companies. All quotes come from the administrative complaint. Count 1 The law: 'A certificate evidencing proof of registration shall be issued by the department and must be prominently displayed in the mover's or broker's primary place of business.' The accusation: The complaint said Thompson picked 3001 SW 10th St. in Pompano Beach as the primary place of business., but that office park location 'is not open to the public, and nowhere in this office space is the departmental registration certificate posted as required.' Count 2 The law: Each estimate or contract of a mover must include the phrase '(Moving company name) is registered with the State of Florida as a Mover. Fla. Mover Registration No....' The accusation: The contracts of Thompson companies with at least 14 customers interviewed in the investigation didn't have that language. Count 3 The law: Any document from a moving broker most include the phrase '(Broker company name) is registered with the State of Florida as a Moving Broker. Fla. Moving Broker Registration No....' The accusation: If Thompson claims he or Thompson Nation Holdings is a moving broker, the documents given to at least 14 customers interviewed in the investigation didn't have that language. Count 4 The law: A mover or moving broker's registration isn't valid if the mover or broker is doing business any place other than the address on the application, unless the department is first notified in writing before any location change. 'A registration issued under this chapter is not assignable and the mover or moving broker may not conduct business under more than one name, except as registered.' The accusation: Thompson Nations Holdings 'was no longer located at the business address of record.' The company told the FDACS about 'multiple new business locations' that went unreported until the investigation. Also, the Vero Beach addresses at 601 21st St., Suites 335, 336 and 337 were virtual offices. Count 5 The law: 'Each mover and moving broker shall provide evidence of the current and valid insurance or alternative coverages required' under Florida statutory law. The accusation: Thompson Nations Holdings' liability insurance expired on June 21, 2023, but the companies still operated without insurance and without telling the state they were sans liability insurance until Aug. 17, 2023. Count 6 The law: Each mover must maintain motor vehicle coverage, including combined bodily injury and property damage liability coverage. The amount depends on the size of the truck: $50,000 per occurrence for a commercial vehicle under 35,000 pounds, $100,000 per occurrence for a commercial vehicle between 35,000 and 44,000 pounds and $300,000 or a commercial vehicle at or over 44,000 pounds. The accusation: Thompson Nations Holdings' four commercial vehicles were insured for a combined $40,000. Count 7 The law: Before starting a move, 'an estimate and a contract must be prepared by a registered mover and provided to a prospective (customer) in writing and the (customer), the mover, and, if applicable, the moving broker must sign or electronically acknowledge and date the estimate and contract.' The accusation: At least 14 of the contracts with customers who investigators interviewed weren't properly signed or electronically acknowledged by the customer, the mover or, when there was one, the moving broker. Count 8 The law: See Count 7, particularly the part about 'registered mover.' The accusation: Fresh Start Moving & Storage was a registered 'doing business as' (dba) of Thompson Nations Holdings from Aug. 18, 2022, through April 3, 2024. It wasn't registered as a dba when it gave estimates to five of the customers who spoke to investigators. Count 9 The law: See Count 7, particularly the part about 'registered mover.' The accusation: Next Door Relocation was a registered 'doing business as' of Thompson Nations Holdings starting April 30, 2024. It wasn't registered as a dba when it gave estimates to two of the customers who spoke to investigators. Count 10 The law: See Count 7, particularly the part about 'registered mover.' The accusation: Small Move Movers became a registered 'doing business as' of Thompson Nations Holdings starting Aug. 18, 2022. It wasn't registered as a dba in July 2022 when it gave estimate and a contract for services to Nicolette Gonzalez and moved her to Gainesville. Gonzalez later sued Thompson in Miami-Dade Civil Court over the move, gaining a judgment and an injunction. Thompson's appealed both. Count 11 The law: Before moving a customer, a contract and estimate 'must be provided to a prospective customer in writing, must be signed and stated by the shipper (customer) and the mover.' It also must have 'an itemized breakdown, description and total of all costs and services for loading, transportation or shipment, unloading and accessorial services to be provided during a household move or storage of household goods.' The accusation: The 14 estimates and contracts reviewed by investigators weren't signed and dated by the customer and the mover; and, didn't have any of the above information required. Count 12 The law: Payment forms accepted must be 'clearly and conspicuously disclosed' to the customer on the binding estimate and contract. Also, the mover must accept payment two of these three categories: valid credit card, not limited to but including Visa or MasterCard; valid personal check with the name and address of the customer or authorized representative; cash/cashier's check/money order/traveler's check. The accusation: Thompson companies accepted only 'cash, cash equivalents or certified funds' for the final balance before unloading from at least 13 customers. Thompson companies' contracts contained 'cash only' or similar language. Or, Thompson employees demanded payment in cash or cash equivalents. Count 13 The law: A mover has to deliver households goods to a customer, putting them inside a customer's home or inside a customer's storehouse or warehouse unless the customer hasn't paid the amount specified in a written contact or estimate the customer signed and dated. 'A mover may not refuse to relinquish prescription medicines and goods for use by children ... under any circumstances.' The accusation: Thompson movers put one customer's items 'near the garage;' refused to unload children's belongings for another customer, causing the couple to buy replacements; refused to unload in the agreed upon location, claiming it didn't have tractor-trailer access when the moving truck didn't need it; left some of a customer's goods on the grass, didn't put all the furniture in the house and 'threw broken pieces of a computer desk in the neighbor's yard.' Count 14 The law: A mover can't refuse to to deliver household goods to a customer's home or other place the customer owns or rents 'based on the mover's refusal to accept an acceptable form of payment.' The accusation: Next Door Relocation movers demanded $5,167 in cash or certified funds only and charged the customer fees until he could get cash or certified funds (see Count 12). Fresh Start Moving and Storage movers 'made a call to their boss, Shawn (Thompson), who demanded (the customer) pay an additional $2,100 in cash). The movers said they would not unload unless (the customer) paid them. Shawn (Thompson) was very rude and unprofessional and told [the customer] to go to an ATM and get the balance owed.' Count 15 The law: A mover can't 'misrepresent or deceptively represent the timeframe or schedule for delivery or storage of household goods estimated.' The accusation: Thompson movers didn't 'uphold' the timeframe and schedule for delivery for three customers, delivery for at least one customer and didn't show up at all (but kept the deposit) for another customer. Count 16 The law: A mover can't 'misrepresent or deceptively represent the contract for services, bill of lading or inventory of household goods for the move estimated.' The accusation: With 18 customers, Thompson companies' movers failed this requirement with 'low estimates leaving off fees and adding discounts it would not keep; demanding more cash without valid supporting documentation; refusing to abide with the estimate/contract language; refusing to deliver or unload belongings unless they paid (Thompson companies) additional monetary demands; intentionally damaging the (customer's) belongings; and not providing a bill of lading/inventory or a legible one.' Count 17 The law: A mover can't 'misrepresent or deceptively represent the price, size, mature, extent, qualities or characteristics of accessorial or moving services offered and 'the nature or extent of other goods, services or amenities offered.' The accusation: The complaint lists 16 instances of Thompson companies violating the above. Thompson movers 'misrepresented' the estimate to 17 customers, usually producing invoices that bore little relation to the estimate once the goods were on the truck. Also, there was no bill of lading that supported the invoices. Among the examples given: one customer who got a $1,266 estimate paid a total of $3,107 and still had to wait 10 days for her possessions. Todays Move Movers charged one customer $2,505 'for packing materials when her belongings already were packed...' Count 18 The law: A mover can't 'misrepresent or deceptively represent a (customer's) rights, privileges or benefits. The accusation: The complaint says Thompson companies did this with 18 customers by, among other things, 'including misleading language' in estimates; 'demanding additional cash payments without written supporting documentation;' claiming the moving company 'has a valid insurance/compensation program for shippers whose property' gets lost or damaged; and 'refusing to communicate with shippers' after their possessions were on moving trucks or when they tried to file a claim for damages after the move. Count 19 The law: A mover can't fail to honor all contract provisions or bill of lading 'regarding the purchaser's rights, benefits and privileges.' The accusation: Thompson companies didn't put all relevant costs and fees in the estimates; jacking up the cost from the estimates 'without providing supporting documentation;' charging for unnecessary or unmoved moving supplies; accepting credit cards for deposits but then demanding cash or certified payments only; telling customers they could be compensated for lost or damaged goods, but Thompson companies 'did not follow through.' Count 20 The law: A mover can't 'withhold delivery of household goods or, in any way, hold goods in storage against the expressed wishes of the customer' if payment has been made as described in the estimate or contract. The accusation: Thompson companies or movers did exactly that with 17 customers. They refused to unload trucks without payments above the agreed upon estimate, sometimes throwing in 'threats and/or intimidation for additional funds,' increasing the amount and 'refusing payment of the estimated amounts.' Count 21 The law: No contract provision can waive or limit any customer's right or benefit or ask for a such a waiver or limitation. The accusation: Thompson moving contracts with two customers waived customer rights and benefits in the COVID-19 section. In 17 contracts, language 'affected the customer's right for an accurate or binding estimate. Also, requiring customers to pay on the delivery end in cash violated this rule. Count 22 The law: A mover can't 'commit any other act of fraud, misrepresentation or failure to disclose a material fact.' The accusation: This is the complaint's grand finale, a listing of 20 separate violations of this move over three pages. Some of them are: ▪ Todays Move Movers, Fresh Start Moving and Storage and Stellar Relocation not telling customers they weren't authorized to be hired for interstate moves. ▪ Fresh Start charged a customer for three movers when only two showed up. ▪ Thompson companies 'claimed to have licensed and insured quality trained workers.' But those workers 'threatened, harassed, intimidated, strong armed and/or physically assaulted' 17 customers and broke, damaged or lost their goods. ▪ An estimate of $625 for a 10-mile move by Todays Move turned into a $6,182 charge, including the $2,505 for packing materials for belongings already packed by the customer. ▪ Thompson 'forged (a customer's) signature on a portion of the contract/bill of labor where the consumer signs stating there were no damaged items after the move. (The customer) suffered damage to multiple items.'
Miami Herald
18-05-2025
- Miami Herald
State denies license renewal of Broward mover accused of fraud, extortion
The Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services has denied license renewal for moving companies linked to a South Florida man who has left a trail of consumer complaints up and down the state. And, a report out of the Orlando area says the Ag Department also has filed an administrative complaint against Shawn Thompson's companies. An online search of the Ag Department site says intrastate moving license No. IM3311 for Thompson Nation Holdings was 'denied.' Thompson Nation Holdings also does business as Pompano Beach's One Man One Van and Orlando's All Stars Moving and Storage; Next Door Relocation; Todays Move Movers; and Two Man One Truck Movers. That covers moving between counties inside the state (intrastate moving). None of the other 18 companies that trace back to Thompson have state movers license. A search of U.S. Department of Transportation licensing turns up no license for any of the Thompson companies for moving state to state (interstate moving). The above companies are the listed on the administrative complaint shown in a Monday report by Jeff Deal of Orlando's WFTV-Channel 9. Administrative complaints often start a discipline process. The Ag Department's punitive bite in these cases is limited to a cease-and-desist order with fines up to $5,000. When a Herald reporter texted and emailed questions about this to Thompson Sunday, he berated a reporter for contacting him for his response. These are the first state actions against Thompson's companies after years of customer complaints about extortion that starts with a low estimate; includes charging for packing services not requested; progresses to a cascade of new charges once the possessions were on the truck; and ended with the demand to pay the new charges or have their stuff taken to a storage unit for more extra charges. County courts in Orange and Miami-Dade counties entered judgments against Thompson, with Miami-Dade Judge Michael Barket flatly saying Thompson 'extorted' his client in a Miami to Gainesville move while being a 'direct participant in this unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent scheme.' Consumers have successfully gained those judgments. They've successfully sent complaints to the Better Business Bureau, Ag Department, Florida State Attorney's Office and various online forums. But, they've been unsuccessful in getting a state agency to take action against any of the companies that trace back to Thompson, an unincorporated Palm Beach County resident. Various other companies branch from those above. Including companies registered with the state under fictitious names, 18 active companies with addresses from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando trace back to Thompson. The layers of paper that conceal the connection to Thompson for consumers doing cursory checks provide a paper trail to Thompson for those who go a little deeper. As an example, Deal interviewed a Stellar Relocation customer who said his estimated $850 move turned into $3,400 once his goods were on the truck. Stellar Relocation is a fictitious name company owned by One Man One Van. One Man One Van's manager and registered agent: Shawn Thompson. Consumers feeling defrauded by moving companies or any other business regulated by the Florida Department of Agriculture can file a complaint through the agency's website.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘Bamboozled': State investigating after customers claim moving companies held belongings hostage
Moving can be a hassle and picking the wrong mover can leave customers feeling boxed in. 'I was mortified. I felt stupid. I felt like I had gotten bamboozled,' said Victoria Henry after her most recent move. Complaints have been mounting against a man who appears to own and operate a number of moving companies across the state including some in central Florida. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is investigating Shawn Thompson and his company Thompson Nation Holdings LLC. Thompson is connected to several moving companies. Some of them are registered businesses in Florida. The state alleges some of the others are fake entities that use fake addresses. Do you have a consumer complaint or need help from Jeff Deal and Action 9? Click the banner below to submit a tip. 'Right there you can see it was more damage. This actually like crushed a little bit,' Mackenzie Wiebe said as he showed the Action 9 team around his home. Wiebe was describing damage to his television that he claims was done by a company called Stellar Relocation. But Wiebe would feel lucky if that was the worst part of his experience with Stellar Relocation. Wiebe told Action 9 Consumer Investigator Jeff Deal, 'It's not really a company. It was like a racket.' His original quote from Stellar was $850 after he and his dad detailed what he had to move to his parents' house in Deland. The contract listed other possible costs, but it was only after all his belongings were on the moving truck did he find out the move would be nearly $3400, four times the original estimate. 'They said, okay, now it was like under their possession. They were going to go put it in a warehouse,' said Wiebe. To keep from that happening, he allowed the movers to follow him to his bank to withdrawal cash. He said the workers for Steller Relocation let him know he could pay in cash or money order only, but they wouldn't accept a money order from his bank. His mom said they demanded even more money on the other end when they arrived at her home, but would only take cash. Mackenzie Wiebe's mom, Raffaella Fenili Wiebe said, 'You're alone against the three of them, and these people are clearly trained not to be movers, but to be bullies.' When she couldn't provide enough cash, she claims they just dumped everything into a pile on the driveway. Stellar Relocation is a listed as a fictitious business name in state records that's owned by a company named One Man One Van LLC. The man behind that company is Shawn Thompson. Action 9 saw Thompson on an Instagram video talking about business. On the video he's heard saying, 'Let's get that energy going. Let's get that business going. Let's get that money flowing.' The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services launched its investigation after getting a number of complaints. It issued an administrative complaint against Thompson Nation Holdings LLC and found the companies it operated held goods hostage despite customers paying or offering to pay the original amount on the invoice. The state also alleges their moving trucks didn't have proper insurance. The business names listed in the state complaint are All Stars Moving and Storage LLC, Next Door Relocation LLC, One Man One Van Moving, Today's Move Movers LLC and Two Man One Truck Movers. Action 9's Jeff Deal tried to ask the companies about the consumer complaints and state allegations at addresses for two businesses in Orlando, but no one answered. The Action 9 team also travelled to south Florida and stopped at a couple of business addresses and a home owned by Shawn Thompson to give them a chance to address the complaints. At one business, a man in a green Mercedes said he didn't know Thompson and rolled up his window when Jeff Deal approached. There appeared to be a One Man One Van moving truck parked in the back. Even though someone peeked over the fence, no one answered the shop door. A short time later, the Action 9 team saw the same green car parked at the home owned by Thompson. An electronic voice from the doorbell camera said, 'Sorry, we're not interested. Have a great day.' Florida law requires moving companies to accept at least two forms of payment. Cash or cash equivalents like money orders are considered one form. Credit card is another option, and a personal check is a third option. The state alleges Thompson Nation Holdings LLC only gave the cash/cash equivalent option in many cases. The state also denied the company's attempt to renew its license to do moves within Florida. Raffaella Fenili Wiebe said, 'It was like the truck is locked, and we're not unlocking it, and you're not getting your stuff unless you give us more money.' Victoria Henry used a company called Green Go Movers to mover her belongings. 'I literally broke down in tears. I was devastated,' she told Action 9. The single mom thought her move would be around $600. Instead, it ballooned to nearly $2500 including a $444 transportation surcharge. The move was within her own apartment complex. Jeff Deal asked, 'When did they tell you it was going to cost more money?' Victoria Henry answered, 'Oh, when it was on the truck.' She claims the company also threatened to hold her belongings hostage if she didn't pay. Shawn Thompson is not listed as the owner of Green Go Movers, but that company is registered at the same Orlando address on Silver Star Road as Thompson Nation Holdings LLC. The invoices for Stellar Relocation and Green Go Movers also list the same person as the customer representative. Holly Salmons, the CEO of The Better Business Bureau said, 'Once your belongings are loaded up and the price tag changes, or the story changes that can be a very costly mistake.' Salmons told Action 9 there are eight companies connected to Shawn Thompson by business name or address that are 'F' Rated by the BBB primarily for unanswered complaints. During a civil lawsuit by a customer in Miami, a judge who ruled against Thompson wrote, 'Mr. Thompson admitted that he was a direct participant in this unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent scheme.' In that case, a college student claimed his company threatened to 'break her (expletive) if she didn't pay a higher amount.' In an Orange County lawsuit, a judge hit Thompson with a $60,000 judgment after the customer saw his moving bill nearly triple the original estimate. Holly Salmons said, 'If the price doubles or triples then if you don't have that money, you may not get your stuff back.' That's why Salmons recommends thoroughly researching companies, getting more than one bid, and reading contracts carefully before trusting anyone with your belongings. Getting more than one bid is important because it can tell you if something is way off about one of the bids. 'All of your worldly possessions are in their hands. So, you don't want to find out when it's too late that they're running this way,' Salmons said. When Action 9's Jeff Deal called the number listed for Thompson Nation Holdings in state records, he was told he had the wrong number and the company hasn't responded to his email. Deal also reached out to the person listed as the owner of Green Go Movers, but has not received a response from him either. The Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services says its investigation is ongoing. If anyone has reason to believe Thompson Nation Holdings LLC is doing business or attempting to do business, they are encouraged to report them to the state here:
