WellCare Health Plans gave illegal campaign contributions to dozens of Florida’s legislators and top officials, including the current attorney general and top health regulator, between 2005 and 2007, according to a Florida Elections Commission report.
In addition to now-Attorney General Bill McCollum and Holly Benson, secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration, recipients included current Senate President Jeff Atwater and House Speaker Larry Cretul.
There is no indication in the Elections Commission report, released Wednesday afternoon, that any of the public officials knew the contributions were illegal. McCollum, Benson and Cretul could not be reached for comment.
Atwater’s campaign advisor Rick Wilson said that while he was not familiar with the WellCare case, in the past the Senate President has returned questionable donations.
“Jeff Atwater has very high standards and a very high standard of making sure campaign donations are appropriate and legal,’’ said Wilson. But little can be done now, he said, since the campaign account for the 2008 election is closed. More here at Health News Florida.
The long list of legislators who took in questionable donations includes House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff, Sen. Dan Gelber, Rep. Betty Reed, Rep. Yolly Roberson, Rep. Will Weatherford, Rep. Dean Cannon, Rep. David Rivera, State Sen. Ronda Storms, former House Speaker Ray Sansom, former House Speaker Marco Rubio, former Senate President Ken Pruitt, Rep. Juan Zapata, Rep. David Rivera, Sen. Mike Haridopolos and Sen. Don Gaetz.
The entire list is included here in the final pages of the consent order reached between the Florida Elections Commission and WellCare. Download Consent order
This article suggests that the recipients knew they received these "illegal" funds. But, the Consent Order makes it clear that it was Welcare that made it all happen. From a recipients point of view, there was no way they could have known unless they were specifically told. Sensationalism at its best. Thanks Gary.
Posted by: Mike | August 20, 2009 at 08:13 AM
Thanks for your comment. The item posted clearly states that there is no indication that any of the elected officials knew the contributions were illegal.
Posted by: Gary Fineout | August 20, 2009 at 09:19 AM
Even more problematic are the perfectly legal, yet suspect contributions passed through committees of continuous existence. Florida law allows interest groups to make donations to these CCEs which pass on the funds directly to Florida legislators, even when legislation involving these entities is being considered by the legislature.
Keep up the heat, Gary!
Kitty
Posted by: Kitty Garber | August 21, 2009 at 07:37 AM