A draft report from Gov. Rick Scott’s chief inspector general backs Citizens Property Insurance Corp. leaders who maintained that the four members of the firm’s Office of Corporate Integrity weren’t fired as a retaliatory move.
“Based solely on the evidence, the evidence did not support a conclusion that retaliation was the reason for the decision to disband OCI,” stated the May 6 draft by Chief Inspector General Melinda Miguel. Citizens President and CEO Barry Gilway, who had 20 days to respond before the report is finalized, wrote Tuesday to thank Miguel for providing a “factual” report and to declare he had nothing to add to the report.
Three of the four former OCI members told investigators they believed retaliation for earlier internal investigations was a factor, but had no evidence. One of the three wasn’t surprised the unit was disbanded as it had been denied additional training and given no new cases in the weeks prior to the October 11 firing. One declined to comment to investigators.
Gilway, who was hired last summer, has claimed the decision to eliminate the four positions was due to a change in corporate direction. The state-backed insurer created an internal “forensic unit” on March 8 to “streamline and standardize internal investigations of potential fraud, mismanagement and employee grievances.”
Gilway has conceded he made a mistake when he disbanded the office during the midst of an investigation by the attorney general’s office last year into travel expense spending.
The overhaul of Citizens (SB 1770) that the Legislature is sending Scott, includes the creation of an inspector general position in the company.
Via the News Service of Florida.
