Final Order — Motor Vehicle Retail Installment

Index: OFR 2026 - 377 ST ATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION In Re: JL EXOTICS LLC, and GAETANO DIBENEDETTO, Respondents. FINAL ORDER ,, / OOCKETE /22/2026 EG,-L Case Number: 135584 The State of Florida, Office of Financial Regulation ("Office"), being authorized and directed to administer and enforce chapter 520, Florida Statutes, hereby enters this Final Order with Notice of Rights ("Final Order") as authorized by the provisions of chapters 120 and 520, Florida Statutes, against JL EXOTICS LLC and GAETANO DIBENEDETTO ("Respondents"). FINDINGS OF FACT

1. On May 7, 2026, the Office issued an Administrative Complaint ("Complaint") against Respondents alleging a violation of chapter 520, Florida Statutes, and seeking an administrative fine of$1.000.00. and revocation of Motor Vehicle Retail Installment Seller license number MV9918242. (Exhibit A)
2. The Complaint contained a Notice of Rights, which fully advised Respondents that they had twenty-one (21) days after the receipt of the Complaint within which to petition the Office for an administrative hearing to contest the allegations set forth in the Complaint, in accordance with sections 120.569 and 120.57, Florida Statutes, including the following information:

TO PRESERVE THE RIGHT TO A HEARING, A WRITTEN RESPONSE MUST BE FILED WITH THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION WITHIN TWENTY-ONE (21) DAYS AFTER THE RECEIPT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT. SAID RESPONSE MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE NO LATER THAN 5:00 P.M. ON THE TWENTY￾FIRST DAY AFTER THE RECEIPT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT. A FAILURE TO TIMELY RESPOND IN WRITING WILL CONSTITUTE A W AIYER OF THE LICENSEE'S RIGHT TO REQUEST A HEARING AND A FINAL ORDER MAY BE ENTERED WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE. 3. The Office served Respondents with the Complaint via U.S. Certified Mail on May 11, 2026. (Exhibit B) 4. Respondents' written response to the Complaint was due on or before June 1, 2026. To date, the Office has neither received a written response to the Complaint nor have Respondents made a claim of equitable tolling. 5. The factual allegations as stated in the Complaint are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein, and being uncontested by Respondents, are accepted as true and correct and are adopted by the Office as Findings of Fact for purposes of this Final Order. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 6. The Office is responsible for the administration and enforcement of chapter 520, Florida Statutes, and has jurisdiction over the subject matter and of Respondents pursuant to chapter 520, Florida Statutes. 7. The Findings of Fact that have been adopted herein serve as the basis of the entry of this Final Order against Respondents. 8. Section 120.569(2)(a), Florida Statutes, and Rule 28-106.111 (2), Florida Administrative Code, require, among other things, that a response or a petition to an action which 2

affects the substantial interests of a party be filed with the agency within 21 days of receipt of written notice of the action. 9. Pursuant to Rule 28-106.111(4), Florida Administrative Code, the failure of Respondents to timely respond to the Complaint constitutes a waiver of Respondents' right to an administrative proceeding. 10. The doctrine of equitable tolling can be applied in administrative cases when a party has been misled or lulled into inaction, i.e., has in some extraordinary way, been prevented from asserting his rights, or has timely asserted his rights in the wrong forum. Machules v. Dept. of Admin., 523 So.2d 1 132, 1134 (Fla. 1988). l 1. Without any evidence of equitable tolling, it is appropriate for the Office to conclude there was none. Patz v. Dept. of Health, 864 So.2d 79, 80 (Fla. 3d DCA 2003). 12. When Respondents failed to submit a response to the Office on or before June 1, 2026, Respondents did not timely file a petition or any other document in response to the Complaint. Respondents also presented no claim, or evidence of equitable tolling. Therefore, it is appropriate for the Office to conclude there was no equitable tolling and Respondents waived their right to an administrative proceeding. 13. Based on the Findings of Fact adopted herein, the Office concludes that Respondents violated the specific statutes and rules charged in the Complaint and, as such, the specific charges in the Complaint are adopted in this Final Order as Conclusions of Law. 14. The waiver of a hearing by Respondents, taken together with the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law adopted herein, constitute sufficient grounds for the Office to take administrative action against Respondents, including the imposition of an administrative fine and revocation of license. 3

Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is hereby ORDERED: A. Within thirty (30) days of the date of this Final Order, Respondents shall pay an ADMINISTRATIVE FINE of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00). B. Respondents shall submit the administrative fine in the form of a wire, money order or cashier's check made payable to the "Office of Financial Regulation." Such payment shall reference Case Number 135584 and shall be sent to the attention of Agency Clerk, c/o Margo A. Du Val, P.O. Box 8050, Tallahassee, FL 32314-8050. C. Effective the date of this Final Order, Motor Vehicle Retail Installment Seller license number MV9918242 is hereby REVOKED. DONE and ORDERED this 22. ~J day of July, 2026, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. 4

NOTICE OF RIGHTS A PARTY WHO IS ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THIS FINAL ORDER IS ENTITLED TO JUDICIAL REVIEW PURSUANT TO SECTION 120.68, FLORIDA STATUTES. REVIEW PROCEEDINGS ARE GOVERNED BY THE FLORIDA RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE. SUCH PROCEEDINGS ARE COMMENCED BY FILING THE ORIGINAL NOTICE OF APPEAL WITH THE AGENCY CLERK FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION AS FOLLOWS: By Mail, Facsimile or Email Agency Clerk Office of Financial Regulation Office of General Counsel P.O. Box 8050 Tallahassee, FL 32314-8050 Phone: (850) 410-9889 Fax: (850) 410-9663 Email: Agency.Clerk@flofr.gov OR By Hand Delivery Agency Clerk Office of Financial Regulation Office of General Counsel The Fletcher Building 101 East Gaines Street Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: (850) 410-9889 A COPY OF THE NOTICE OF APPEAL, ACCOMPANIED BY THE FILING FEES AS REQUIRED BY LAW, MUST ALSO BE FILED WITH THE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL, FIRST DISTRICT, 2000 DRAYTON DRIVE, TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-0950, OR WITH THE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL IN THE APPELLATE DISTRICT WHERE THE PARTY RESIDES. THE NOTICE OF APPEAL MUST BE FILED WITH BOTH THE AGENCY CLERK FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION AND THE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE RENDITION OF THE ORDER TO BE REVIEWED. 5

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Final Order was furnished to JL Exotics LLC and Gaetano DiBenedetto c/o Alexander Socia, Registered Agent, by U.S. Mail to 2755 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Suite 225, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33306, and to JL Exot~ LC and Gaetano DiBenedetto by electronic mail to JLEXOTICS l@gmail.com on this ·7-) day of July, 2026. ulation Email: rk@flofr.gov Tel: (8 - 889 6

STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION In Re: JL EXOTICS LLC, and GAETANO DIBENEDETTO, Respondents. ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT Exhibit A Case Number: 135584 The State of Florida, Office of Financial Regulation ("Office"), files this Administrative Complaint against JL EXOTICS LLC and GAETANO DIBENEDETTO (together "Respondents"), al1eging: GENERAL ALLEGATIONS

1. Pursuant to sections 520.994 and 520.996, Florida Statutes, the Office is charged with administering and enforcing the provisions of chapter 520, Florida Statutes, and is authorized to conduct examinations and investigations to detennine whether any provision of chapter 520, Florida Statutes, has been violated by any person.
2. Pursuant to section 520.995(l)(a), Florida Statutes, failure to comply with any provision of chapter 520, Florida Statutes, or its rules, constitutes grounds for disciplinary action.
3. Parts I and VI of chapter 520, Florida Statutes, set forth the specific requirements of motor vehicle retail installment sellers and licenses.
4. Pursuant to section 520.02(11 ), Florida Statutes, a "motor vehicle retail installment seller" or "seHer" means a person engaged in the business of selling motor vehicles to retail buyers in retail installment transactions.
5. Pursuant to section 520.02(16), Florida Statutes, a "retail buyer" or "buyer" means a person who buys a motor vehicle from a seller not principal1y for the purpose ofresale, and who

executes a retail installment contract in connection therewith, or a person who succeeds to the rights and obligations of such person. 6. Pursuant to section 520.02(18), Florida Statutes, a "retail installment transaction" means any transaction evidenced by a retail installment contract entered into between a retail buyer and a seller wherein the retail buyer buys a motor vehicle from the seller at a deferred payment price payable in one or more deferred installments. 7. Pursuant to section 520.02(17), Florida Statutes, "retail installment contract" or "contract" means an agreement entered into in Florida "pursuant to which the title to, or a lien upon the motor vehicle, which is the subject matter of a retail installment transaction, is retained or taken by a seller from a retail buyer as security, in whole or in part, for the buyer's obligation." 8. Pursuant to section 520.994( 4 ), Florida Statutes, the Office may impose and collect an administrative fine against any person found to have violated any provision of chapter 520, Florida Statutes, or its rules. 9. Pursuant to section 520.02(14), Florida Statutes, "person" means an individual, partnership, cotporation, association, and any other organized group. 10. Pursuant to section 520.02( 4), Florida Statutes, "control person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, trust, or other organization that possesses the power, directly or indirectly, to direct the management or policies of a company, whether through ownership of securities, by contract, or otherwise. 11. At all times material, JL Exotics LLC is and has conducted business as a motor vehicle retail installment seller having been issued license number MV9918242, pursuant to chapter 520, Florida Statutes. 12. At all times material, Gaetano DiBenedetto is and has been the President and Sole 2

Owner of JL Exotics LLC, and by operation oflaw, pursuant to section 520.02( 4), F1orida Statutes, a control person of JL Exotics LLC. 13. The Office conducted an examination (No. 131325) to ascertain Respondents' compliance with chapter 520, Florida Statutes. 14. Pursuant to sections 520.995(1)(a), and 520.995(2), Florida Statutes, persons must comply with all provisions of chapter 520, Florida Statutes, and its rules, and the Office may revoke a motor vehicle retail instaJlment sel1er license and impose an administrative fine of a $1,000.00 per act for failure to comply. COUNTI 15. The above general allegations are hereby re-a1leged and incorporated by reference as if fully stated herein. 16. Section 520.997(1), Florida Statutes, states: Every licensee shall maintain, at the principal place of business, such books, accounts, and records of the business conducted under the license issued for such place of business as will enable the office to determine whether the business of the licensee contemplated by this chapter is being operated in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The licensee shall make all such books, accounts, and records of business conducted under the license available at a convenient location in this state upon request of the office. 17. Pursuant to section 520.995(1Xf), Florida Statutes, failure to maintain, preserve, and keep available for examination, all books, accounts, or other documents required by chapter 520, Florida Statutes, or any rule or order adopted thereto, or by any agreement entered into with the Office constitutes a violation of chapter 520, Florida Statutes, and is grounds for disciplinary action. 18. As part of its examination, the Office requested that Respondents provide books, accounts, and records of the business conducted under the Jicense including: 3

• A list or printout of contracts, which were written / acquired during the examination period; • Access to the contracts and payment history ( open and paid) and other pertinent documentation (completion certificate, mortgage, automobile title, assignment agreements, etc.); • Verification of credit insurance coverage; • Verification of official fees charged (vehicJe registrations, UCC-1 'sand UCC-3's, mortgages, title searches, etc.); • Documentation showing the remittance of Florida Documentary Stamps to the Department of Revenue; • Documentation showing the remittance of Florida Sales Tax to the Department of Revenue; • Copies of all consumer complaints filed directly with your business or through any other agency during the examination period; • List of bank accounts; • Copies of all Form 8300 submitted by your business to FinCEN; • Copy of FinCEN registration; and • Copy ofBSA/AML program. 19. Respondents did not respond to the Office's aforementioned request for books, accounts, and records of the business conducted under the Jicense. 20. Respondents failed to maintain, preserve, and keep available for examination, all books, accounts, or other documents required by chapter 520, Florida Statutes, or any rule or order adopted thereto, or by any agreement entered into with the Office, in violation of section 520.995(l)(f), Florida Statutes. 21. Pursuant to Rule 69V-85.1 J 1(2), Florida Administrative Code, a person found to have committed a violation of section 520.995(1 )(f), Florida Statutes, is subject to an administrative fine of $1,000.00 per act and revocation of license. 22. Therefore, the Office is seeking an administrative fine of $1,000.00, and revocation of license number MV99 l 8242. WHEREFORE, Respondents, JL EXOTICS LLC and GAETANO DIBENEDETTO are hereby notified that the Office intends to enter an order imposing a total administrative fine of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), and revocation of license number MV9918242. 4

NOTICE OF RIGHTS The licensee is entitled to be ·represented by counsel or another qualified representative. The licensee also has the right to request a hearing pursuant to sections J 20.569 and J 20.57, Florida Statutes. Such request must comply with Rules 28-106.2015 and 28-106.104, Florida Administrative Code. An Election of Proceeding form is attached for your convenience. Any such request must be filed as follows: By Mail, Facsimile or Email Agency Clerk Office of Financial Regulation Office of General Counsel P.O. Box 8050 Tallahassee, FL 32314-8050 Phone: (850) 410-9889 Fax: (850) 410-9663 Email: Agency.Clerk@flofr.gov OR B\· Hand Deliverv Agency Clerk Office of Financial Regulation Office of General Counsel The Fletcher Building 101 East Gaines Street, Suite 504 Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: (850) 410-9889 TO PRESERVE THE RIGHT TO A HEARING, A WRITTEN RESPONSE MUST BE FILED WITH THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION WITHIN TWENTY-ONE (21) DAYS AFTER THE RECEIPT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT. SAID RESPONSE MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE NO LATER THAN 5:00 P.M. ON THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY AFTER THE RECEIPT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT. A FAILURE TO TIMELY RESPOND IN WRITING WILL CONSTITUTE A WAIVER OF fflE LICENSEE'S RIGHT TO REQUEST A HEARING AND A FINAL ORDER MAY BE ENTERED WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE. You may not make an oral request for an administrative hearing. With regard to a written request, if you fail to foJlow the outlined procedure, your request may be dismissed. Any request for an administrative proceeding received prior to the date of this notice is deemed abandoned and to be considered, must be timely renewed in compliance with the procedure set forth above. Mediation of this matter pursuant to section J 20.573, Florida Statutes, is not available. 5

NOTICE TO RESPONDENTS In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with disabilities needing special accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact the Agency Clerk no later than seven (7) days prior to the filing deadline or proceeding, at the Office of Financial Regulation, The Fletcher Building, Suite 504, 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, Phone: (850) 410-9889, or by Email: Agency.C)erk@flofr.gov. ByM M ~ , J'~ ~ ,~ ¼U!._, Margo A~ uVal Assistant General Counsel Office of Financial Regulation Office of General Counsel Fla. Bar No. 122205 200 E. Gaines Street Tallahassee, FL 32399 Tel: 850-410-9824 Email: margo.duval@flofr.gov CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Administrative Complaint has been sent for service via U.S. Certified Mail to JL Exotics LLC and Gaetano DiBenedetto at 3051 N. Federal Hwy., Pompano Beach, FL 33064, and to JL Exotics LLC and Gaetano DiBenedetto c/o Alexander Socia, Registered Agent, at 2755 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Suite 225, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306, on this 7th day of May, 2026. 9489 0090 0027 6620 8154 26 7l11v . .4i.._V(Lfl Margo A. uVal 6

STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION Case No: 135584 JL Exotics LLC and Gaetano DIBenedetto 3051 N. Federal Hwy. Pompano Beach, FL 33064 ELECTION OF PROCEEDING I have received and read the Administrative Complaint, including the Notice of Rights, flied by the Office of Financial Regulation roffice") regarding the above-referenced Respondent, and I am requesting disposition as indicated below. PLEASE SELECT ONLY ONE OF THE OPTIONS: OPTION #1: D I do not request a hearing in this matter. I do not dispute any of the Office's factual allegations and conclusions of law as stated in the Administrative Complaint. I understand that upon my waiving the right to a hearing, the Office may enter a final order adopting the findings of fact and conclusions of law In the Administrative Complaint. and Imposing the penalties sought In the Administrative Complalnt. OPTION #2: D I do not dispute any of the Office's factual allegations but~ the Office's conclusions of law to those factual allegations, and request disposition of this matter by informal hearing pursuant to section 120.57(2), Florida Statutes. I request to (CHECK ONLY Qfil OF THE FOLLOWING 2 OPTIONS): a. 0 Attend a hearing by video tel onference before a Hearing Officer appointed by the Office; OR b. 0 Submit a written statement with supporting documentation to a Hearing Officer appointed by the Office. OPTION #3: D I do dispute one or more of the Office's factual allegations. I request a formal hearing before the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) pursuant to section 120.57(1), Florida Statutes. In accordance with Rule 28-106.2015(5)(c), FAC, I am attaching a copy of the material facts that I dispute. TO PRESERVE YOUR RIGHT TO A HEARING, A RESPONSE MUST BE FILED WITH THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION AGENCY CLERK NO LATER THAN 5:00 P.M. ON OR BEFORE THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY AFTER RECEIPT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT, BY ANY OF THE FOLLOWING METHODS:

1. By email: Agency.Clerk@flofr.gov; or
2. By U.S. Mail: P.O. Box 8050, Tallahassee, Florida 32314-8050; or
3. By hand delivery: Office of General Counsel, Suite 504, Fletcher Bldg., 101 E. Gaines Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399. Signature of Respondent or Mailing Address Authorized Representative of Respondent Printed Name & Title City State Zip Date E-mail Address Telephone Number Form: OFR-GC-13 (rev. 1/28/2026) Page 1 of 2

STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION Case No: 135584 JL Exotics LLC and Gaetano DiBenedetto 3051 N. Federal Hwy. Pompano Beach, FL 33064 ••vou ARE TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING ONLY IF YOU HAVE CHECKED OPTION #3 ON THE PRECEDING PAGE. If you need more space, you may provide additional pages. As Respondent or the authorized representative of Respondent, I am disputing the following material facts: Signature of Respondent or Authorized Representative Form: OFR-GC-13 (rev. 1/28/2026) Page 2 of2 Date

Florida Office of Financial Regulation 200 East Gaines Street I Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0370 1111111 11111 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED 9489 □□ □ □□ 27 bb2 □ 8154 26 JL Exotics LLC Attn: Gaetano DiBenedetto c/o Alexander Socia, Registered Agent 2755 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Suite 225 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 "' ~ rl 0 ff~ i.3 ~I-

Q t.JNITED STIJTES POSTIJL SERVICE May 15, 2026 Dear Margo DuVal: Exhibit B The following is in response to your request for proof of delivery on your item with the tracking number: 9489 0090 0027 6620 8154 26. Item Details Status: Status Date/ Time: Location: Postal Product: Extra Services: Shipment Details Weight: Recipient Signature Signature of Recipient: Address of Recipient: Delivered, Front Desk/Reception/Mail Room May 11, 2026, 6:25 pm FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33306 First-Class Mail® Certified Mail™ Return Receipt Electronic 41b, 5.8oz 2755 E OAKLAND PARK BLVD STE 225, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33306 Note: Scanned image may reflect a different destination address due to Intended Recipient's delivery instructions on file. Thank you for selecting the United States Postal Service® for your mailing needs. If you require additional assistance, please contact your local Post Office™ or a Postal representative at 1-800-222-1811 . Sincerely, United States Postal Service® 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW Washington, D.C. 20260-0004