What insurers and regulators may have hoped would fade from public view has resurfaced, as homeowners featured on CBS News’ “60 Minutes” have turned to the courts to demand transparency from Florida regulators.
Jeffrey and Virginia Rapkin of North Port, whose Hurricane Ian insurance dispute was highlighted on the program in 2024, are asking a Leon County judge to compel the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) to release records tied to its investigation of Heritage Property & Casualty Insurance Co. The probe centers on allegations that Heritage improperly altered field adjusters’ damage reports after the 2022 storm.
According to the petition filed in circuit court, DFS has refused to provide the requested documents despite repeated public records requests. The filing asks the court to order DFS to produce the materials related to its handling of the Heritage investigation.
The Rapkins’ home sustained wind and rain damage during Hurricane Ian in September 2022. Their case gained national attention when 60 Minutes aired claims by independent adjuster Jordan Lee, who said Heritage dramatically reduced his damage estimate for the Rapkins’ two-story home while leaving his name on a revised report. Lee alleged the revised document falsely suggested he approved a 93% reduction in estimated damages.
Lee, along with two other independent adjusters, publicly raised similar concerns in late 2022 before a Florida House committee. They accused several insurers of altering adjuster reports in misleading ways and submitted extensive documentation to DFS, requesting an investigation.
Heritage denied wrongdoing in part, stating that while desk adjusters’ names had been mistakenly omitted from revised reports, no intentional misconduct occurred. Company leaders said more than 4,100 Hurricane Ian claims were revised downward, while 2,583 were adjusted upward.
The adjusters, however, alleged fraudulent conduct and pressed DFS for further action. The Rapkins separately sued Heritage in 2023 for breach of contract, arguing the insurer underpaid their claim. They also filed a complaint with DFS that year but said regulators provided little information about the investigation’s progress.
As part of their litigation efforts, the Rapkins submitted a public records request in July 2025 seeking all DFS records related to Heritage. Court filings state that despite multiple submissions, DFS had not responded as of September 7, 2025.
The homeowners argue the records are essential to their case and should be disclosed under Florida’s public records laws. Their complaint asks the court to order DFS to release the materials.
Two whistleblower adjusters, Jordan Lee and Ben Mandell, have asked to intervene in the case. Mandell argued that the court’s ruling could affect his own public records requests concerning DFS investigations into Florida Peninsula Insurance and Edison Insurance.
Mandell’s motion states that he was terminated by Florida Peninsula after questioning what he described as irregular claims-handling practices, including desk adjusters significantly reducing his inspection reports. According to the filing, he raised concerns internally before being fired in October 2022.
Florida Peninsula and Edison have also asked the court to allow them to participate in the case. Along with Heritage, they argue that the DFS records contain trade secrets protected by statute and prior court rulings. Heritage has asked the court to prevent DFS from releasing the records altogether.
Lee, Mandell, and other adjusters say they have received little information from DFS about the investigation and that no prosecutions have followed. Mandell and fellow adjuster Mark Vinson said a DFS investigator told them this fall that, after three years of review, the department concluded there is no statutory basis to pursue fraud charges against insurers for allegedly altering adjuster reports.
Separately, Heritage sued Lee last year for libel and defamation stemming from his 60 Minutes interview. Lee has filed a countersuit.
Meanwhile, the Rapkins’ lawsuits against both Heritage and DFS describe severe hardships following the storm. Jeffrey Rapkin, a family law attorney, is representing himself and his wife in the DFS case. Their filings allege that large sections of their metal roof were torn off, that Heritage was slow to respond, delayed installing a protective tarp, and that the tarp remained in place for only a short time.
The family attempted to remain in the home despite persistent moisture, mold, and a lack of running water. According to court documents, family members became ill, and their dog later died from respiratory issues. Ultimately, they moved out and sold the home to pay off the mortgage.
The complaint accuses Heritage of engaging in “war of attrition” litigation tactics. Heritage has denied the allegations. DFS has also disputed some claims but stated in its December 22 response that Heritage bears the burden of proving any requested records qualify as protected trade secrets and are exempt from disclosure.