CASTRO v. DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE (2021)

Appellant, Ali Castro, appeals a final administrative support order rendered by the Department of Revenue (the Department). After being served with the Department's notice of proceeding, a blank financial affidavit, a blank parent information form, and a blank Title IV-D standard parenting time plan, Mr. Castro failed to complete and return any of the documents he was provided. The Department proceeded with the matter and prepared a proposed administrative support order.

Mr. Castro informed the Department that he contested its proposed order and requested a hearing. The matter was referred to the Division of Administrative Hearings and Mr. Castro was notified of the date and time the hearing was to take place. But Mr. Castro failed to appear.

On appeal, Mr. Castro's sole argument is that he failed to appear at the noticed hearing because his attorney misadvised him not to attend. But no attorney ever appeared in this proceeding on behalf of Mr. Castro. And this appeal is not the proper venue for addressing such allegations. Appellate courts are required to affirm final agency action unless the appellant shows a ground for setting such action aside, as provided by section 120.68, Florida Statutes. Mr. Castro has failed to establish, or allege, any statutory grounds for reversal.

Affirmed.

Per Curiam.

Bilbrey, Nordby, and Long, JJ., concur.