Group Pushing “Florida Model” of Payday Lending Tied to Wasserman Schultz Spokesman’s Firm

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz has worked hard to undermine the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) efforts to rein in predatory payday lenders through her support of the disastrous “Florida Model” of payday lending where the average borrower pays more than 300% interest and takes out 9 loans each year. It now appears that her new spokesman’s firm is tied directly to Floridians for Financial Choice, a mysterious new front group pushing the “Florida model” of payday lending.


On April 18, 2016 Debbie Wasserman Schultz Hired a Sachs Media Group Partner to Be Her Spokesperson. Nine Days Later a Mysterious Website Defending the “Florida Model” of Payday Lending Was Created

Ryan Banfill Is a Partner at Sachs Media Group…

Ryan Banfill Is a Partner and Director of Strategy and Research at Sachs Media Group. [Sachs Media, Ryan Banfill, Biography Accessed 5/26/16]

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…and Was Hired by Debbie Wasserman Schultz to Serve as Her Spokesperson and Communications Advisor.

April 18, 2016: Ryan Banfill Became the Spokesperson for Debbie Wasserman Schultz. [Sachs Media Facebook Post, 4/18/16]

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Nine Days After Banfill Was Hired by Wasserman Schultz, a Mysterious Pro-Florida Payday Lending Model Website Was Created

April 27, 2016: “FinancialChoiceFL.com” Registered Using GoDaddy.com. [Whois.com “FinancialChoiceFL.com” Registration Details, Accessed 5/26/16]

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Floridians for Financial Choice Appears to Be a Client of Sachs Media Group, the Same Firm Where Wasserman Schultz’s Spokesperson is a Partner

Google Shows a Website Entitled “resources-Floridians for Financial Freedom” Hosted by SachsDigital.com.

An Entry in Google Shows a Website That Is Not Accessible Entitled “Resources-Floridians for Financial Freedom” That Is Part of the SachsDigital.com Domain. [Google.com Search for “Floridians for Financial Freedom, 5/26/16]

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Floridians for Financial Choice Website Is Copyrighted by “Floridians for Financial Freedom.” FinancialFreedomFL.com forwards to FinancialChoiceFL.com. [FinancialChoiceFL.com, Accessed 5/26/16FinancialFreedomFL.com, Accessed 5/26/16]

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SachsDigital.com Is Registered to Ron Sachs Communications, The Former Name of Sachs Media Group

January 21, 2011: “SachsDigital.com” Registered Using GoDaddy.com. [Whois.com “SachsDigital.com” Registration Details, Accessed 5/26/16]

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Ron Sachs Communications Is Now Called Sachs Media Group. “Sachs Media Group, formerly Ron Sachs Communications, is home to the team best known for smart, strong and strategic counsel across the diverse and ever-changing media landscape. [SachsMedia.com “About Us,” Accessed 5/26/16]

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