Every Florida Moving Fraud Enforcement Case, and What Happened

Florida is home to the five most-complained moving brokers in America. The Florida Attorney General has been more active on moving fraud than any other state. But the record shows a clear pattern: enforcement works against operators who cooperate, struggles against operators who resist, and has not reached the largest active complaint generators.

Here is every documented FL AG moving fraud enforcement action, its current status, and what it means for consumers.

Owner: Charles Gordon Abrams (Lake Worth, FL) Companies: Gold Standard Moving and Storage, United American Moving, Razor Van Lines, US Pro Moving and Logistics, Executive Van Lines, National American Van Lines, Imperial Moving Group (dba Simple Path Moving), Spartan Moving and Storage, Southeast Holding, Southeast Holdings Case: CACE-22-017919, Broward County Circuit Court Filed: December 8, 2022 Outcome: Consent Final Judgment and Stipulated Permanent Injunction, March 6, 2025

Nine companies, one owner, shared addresses at 2700 W Atlantic Blvd in Pompano Beach (Suites 100, 114, 204, 208). Three individuals named: Abrams, Daniel J. Metz, Rudolph Logan Rice. Permanent injunction bars all defendants from the moving industry.

This is the only FL AG moving fraud case that resulted in a permanent industry bar. It took over two years from filing to judgment.

Owner: Mitchel Kane Malizio Company: HomeSafe Transit LLC Case: L23-3-1568, FL AG Outcome: Assurance of Voluntary Compliance (21-page settlement)

The AG investigated HomeSafe for FDUTPA violations. The company entered a settlement without admitting wrongdoing. No permanent injunction. No industry bar. The AVC terminated the investigation as to the specific acts reviewed.

HomeSafe continued operating under the same DOT number after the settlement.

Owner: Robert Castro (Palm Beach County, FL) Companies: Coastal Moving Services (229 NCCDB complaints, #4 nationally), All Coast Moving Group, Mindful Moving Group, Empire Moving Group Case: CACE-26-001697, Broward County Circuit Court Filed: January 30, 2026 Status: Pending

AG served investigative subpoena November 12, 2025. Castro required to appear for sworn statement December 19, 2025. Castro did not comply. AG petitioned court to compel. Coastal continues to operate, run Google Ads, and generate complaints.

427 BBB complaints in three years. Not BBB accredited.

Co-owners: Frank DeSantis and Frank Lucido Companies: AMS Moving Inc. (f/k/a Nationwide Moving Services, dba Amerisafe), Cross Country Moving Group, Eagle Moving Group (dba New Start Relocation), JDS Moving Enterprises, JL Moving Enterprises, Long Distance Movers (f/k/a Cross Country Moving Systems), National Moving Group, NW Management Services LLC Complaints: 293 NCCDB (#2 nationally) Case: L23-3-1566, FL AG (AVC, 41 pages) Settled: May 2026

AG initially served investigative subpoena October 2025. DeSantis did not comply. AG petitioned court to compel (CACE-26-000369). Investigation ultimately resulted in a 41-page Assurance of Voluntary Compliance covering 10 entities and 2 individuals. Settlement includes substantial penalties, consumer restitution, and AG attorney fees. Respondents committed to support FMCSA rule amendments. No admission of wrongdoing.

This is the largest FL AG moving fraud settlement by number of entities. Amerisafe was previously investigated by both the FL AG and DOT OIG. Earlier investigations also resulted in settlements.

Owner: Roger Vance (Boca Raton, FL) Company: Safe Ship Moving Services LLC (via Vellar Holdings LLC) Complaints: 404 NCCDB (#1 nationally) Case: None Status: No FL AG enforcement action disclosed

Safe Ship has more complaints than Gold Standard, Coastal, HomeSafe, and any individual Amerisafe entity combined. It holds an F rating from the BBB. 100 of the 1,080 carriers on its published dispatch list have revoked or inactive authority. An active-duty Navy officer's belongings vanished after Safe Ship dispatched them to a carrier not incorporated when FMCSA licensed it.

No FL AG FDUTPA investigation has been publicly disclosed. No subpoena has been served on Roger Vance. Safe Ship is currently suing USMPO, a consumer protection platform, for listing it as 'not verified.'

Safe Ship continues to operate from Boca Raton, advertise military moves, and sponsor industry conferences.

The FL AG's moving fraud enforcement record:

- Gold Standard: 2+ years to permanent injunction. 9 companies, industry bar. $3,419,000 in restitution and penalties. Definitive outcome. - HomeSafe: Settlement without admission. No industry bar. Company continued. - Amerisafe: Initially resisted subpoena, ultimately settled. 41-page AVC covering 10 entities. $1,834,000 total (restitution, penalties, $64K attorney fees). Committed to support FMCSA rule amendments. - Coastal: Owner ignored subpoena. AG went to court. Investigation ongoing. Company continues operating. - Menards: 331 NCCDB complaints, highest of any broker in 2026 to date, accelerating. No AG action disclosed. - Safe Ship: 404 complaints. Most-complained moving company in America. No AG action disclosed.

The FL AG has used state consumer protection authority (FDUTPA) rather than the federal enforcement coordination process under 49 USC 14710-14711, which requires advance notice to FMCSA. The state law path has proven more direct. Results range from permanent injunctions (Gold Standard) to multi-entity settlements (Amerisafe) to ongoing investigations (Coastal).

The FL AG has done more than FMCSA, which has closed zero broker enforcement cases since September 2024. But the two largest active complaint generators (Menards and Safe Ship, with a combined 735 complaints) have had no state enforcement action at all.