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Ethics Commission signs off on blind trust for Scott's investments

By Lynn Hatter

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-968687.mp3

Tallahassee, FL – Florida Governor Rick Scott has taken a lot of heat about his financial interests in the state, from his ownership of a chain of urgent care centers in central Florida to various other holdings. Lynn Hatter reports the state's Ethics Commission has approved the Governor's plan to put his financial assets into a blind trust.

The trust will be managed by independent financial advisers. That will help shield Scott from future conflict-of-interest claims like the one he faced a month ago over his ownership of a chain of urgent care centers called Solantic, and the potential for profit under a plan to allow Medicaid recipients to use their money in such places. Scott says he's pleased with the ethics commissions ruling.

"I'm glad that they did that. As you know I'm trying to make sure I do everything the right way and organizing my business investments that way, so I'm glad that they did. I believed I was doing the right thing, but it's nice that they did that."

The ruling doesn't include Solantic. Scott announced he was selling his share in the company to its other investors, but the transaction has been held up due to difficulty in getting state approval.