Florida

State denies license renewal of Broward mover accused of fraud, extortion

Several companies controlled by Shawn Thompson, called a fraudulent extortionist by a Miami-Dade Civil Court judge, operate out of this building, 2814 Silver Star Rd., in Orlando.
Several companies controlled by Shawn Thompson, called a fraudulent extortionist by a Miami-Dade Civil Court judge, operate out of this building, 2814 Silver Star Rd., in Orlando. Orange County Property Records

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‘Unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent’ mover Shawn Thompson

From judgments in Miami-Dade and Orange County to investigations by state agencies, Shawn Thompson’s practices as a mover have been under scrutiny the last few years. Several customers, a Miami-Dade judge and now the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services say Thompson’s a fraudulent, bait-and-switch extortionist.

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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.

What you see if you look up Thompson Nation Holdings’ license on the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website.
What you see if you look up Thompson Nation Holdings’ license on the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

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 U.S. Department of Transportation entry for Thompson Nation Holdings. The “Not Authorized” refers to “not authorized to engage in interstate, for-hire operations.”
The U.S. Department of Transportation entry for Thompson Nation Holdings. The “Not Authorized” refers to “not authorized to engage in interstate, for-hire operations.” USDOT website

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.

This story was originally published May 18, 2025 at 3:49 PM with the headline "State denies license renewal of Broward mover accused of fraud, extortion."

David J. Neal
Miami Herald
Since 1989, David J. Neal’s domain at the Miami Herald has expanded to include writing about Panthers (NHL and FIU), Dolphins, old school animation, food safety, fraud, naughty lawyers, bad doctors and all manner of breaking news. He drinks coladas whole. He does not work Indianapolis 500 Race Day.
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‘Unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent’ mover Shawn Thompson

From judgments in Miami-Dade and Orange County to investigations by state agencies, Shawn Thompson’s practices as a mover have been under scrutiny the last few years. Several customers, a Miami-Dade judge and now the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services say Thompson’s a fraudulent, bait-and-switch extortionist.