Friday's Daily Pulse

› Florida attorney general fires chief of Medicaid fraud investigations [Times/Herald]
State Attorney General Pam Bondi demoted the head of her Medicaid fraud investigative unit and fired another top staffer this week, citing reports of poor leadership and employee discontent.

› Lending group sues Smith Advertising [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Smith Advertising & Associates Inc., already being probed by federal investigators over an alleged check-kiting scheme, is being sued by a jilted creditor. The lawsuit by Sarasota's Receivable Management Funding LLC -- or RMF -- alleges that Smith principals Gary T. Smith and his son, G. Todd Smith, engaged in fraud and misrepresentation in convincing the investment group to provide more than $17 million to the firm.

› Workforce draft audit finds agency lacked financial controls [Orlando Sentinel]
A draft audit of Workforce Central Florida has found that the agency — under its previous management — lacked required financial controls and systems to ensure the agency followed state and federal rules. The audit identified 17 separate problems, some serious, some relatively minor paperwork issues.

› Shark Tank’s Daymond John to headline entrepreneur event [Miami Herald]
The FundingPost, an organization that aims to bring entrepreneurs and investors together with nationwide events, is holding a Miami VC and Angel Event on March 22. This event will focus on early-stage venture Investing, exploring how to meet and pitch investors effectively.

› Florida's First Statewide Tattoo Regulations Take Effect [WCTV]
Statewide standards for the tattoo industry are beginning to take effect in Florida, thanks to legislation passed by State Senator Eleanor Sobel (D-Hollywood) in 2010. Tattoo artists will have six months to obtain a license, which requires mandatory testing, hygiene standards, and instruction in the prevention of communicable diseases. The bill also allows for state inspection of tattoo parlors and provides that licenses must be renewed yearly.