Attorney General Charlie Crist is backing new ethics legislation after questions were raised about business activities of some Citizens Property Insurance. Crist, who is running for governor, announced Monday a proposed bill that would require employees of "quasi-governmental" organizations such as Citizens to follow the same post-employment restrictions now imposed on other state workers.
That would include a two-year ban on doing business with or lobbying their former employer, shutting down the revolving door that has spun a number of Citizens officials into careers running insurance companies that do business with the state. Most recently, Citizens' chief financial officer and controller left to start a company built entirely on policies formerly held by Citizens. Overtures for a similar venture were made by a Citizens board member earlier this spring.
The bill is sponsored by Sens. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, and Nancy Argenziano, R-Dunellon, and by House Insurance Chairman Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland."This is about accountability," Fasano said. "When you're dealing with taxpayers and taxpayer money, and raising premiums 110 percent, somebody better be accountable."
That would include a two-year ban on doing business with or lobbying their former employer, shutting down the revolving door that has spun a number of Citizens officials into careers running insurance companies that do business with the state. Most recently, Citizens' chief financial officer and controller left to start a company built entirely on policies formerly held by Citizens. Overtures for a similar venture were made by a Citizens board member earlier this spring.
The bill is sponsored by Sens. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, and Nancy Argenziano, R-Dunellon, and by House Insurance Chairman Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland."This is about accountability," Fasano said. "When you're dealing with taxpayers and taxpayer money, and raising premiums 110 percent, somebody better be accountable."
Excerpts taken from Paige St. JohnNews Journal Capital Bureau, "Crist backs ethics legislation after Citizens questions"
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