A state-government watchdog group is calling for Florida Gov. Rick Scott to investigate state-run Citizens Property Insurance. Integrity Florida and lobbying group Policyholders of Florida have written a letter to Scott after Citizens disbanded its Office of Corporate Integrity on Friday.
Citizens fired all four employees in its corporate integrity office. The move comes amid a sharp increase in internal ethics complaints, which include allegations of wasteful spending. State Sen. Mike Fasano (R-New Port Richey) says Scott needs to get involved now.
“You restore that office and restore it immediately," he said. "And, [No.] 2, you have the inspector general investigate why this office was closed. And you contact those individuals who were fired and you get their input as well."
The letter, addressed to Scott, Citizens president Barry Gilway and State Inspector General Melinda Miguel, says, the groups are especially concerned that the terminated employees were asked to sign confidentiality agreements. It reads, in part, “It certainly gives a perception of corruption.”