Joe Negron and nine Republican state representatives sent a letter to GOP gubernatorial hopeful Rick Scott late Tuesday, regarding recent legal issues involving Solantic — a company in which Scott is an investor.
“Recently, it has come to our attention that just six days before you announced your candidacy for governor, you were deposed over allegations amounting to criminal and fraudulent activity at Solantic, a company you founded and operate,” wrote the legislators. “Instead of being forthcoming about your role in the case, it appears you worked behind the scenes to prevent this deposition from reaching the public view. As state legislators with an interest in building on our party’s success over the past 12 years, we are concerned your refusal to be upfront with the public in this case could severely jeopardize your chances of becoming governor should you win the Republican gubernatorial primary.
“We ask that you release your deposition and all documents related to and concerning lawsuits against Solantic in order to provide the transparency the public wants and deserves,” continued the legislators. “By keeping your involvement in this case shrouded in secrecy, you will become a major liability for Republican candidates on this year’s ballot if your campaign is successful. If you remain unwilling to release these materials and answer questions on these issues, we believe you should immediately withdraw from the race for the good of our party and the conservative cause in Florida.”
Besides Negron, the letter was signed by Rep. Steve Crisafulli, Rep. Faye Culp, Rep. Clay Ford, Rep. Alan Hays, Rep. Dave Murzin, Rep. Scott Plakon, Rep. Trudi Williams, Rep. John Wood and Rep. Ritch Workman.
