Gov. Scott visits FGCU, responds to FDLE scandal

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Governor Rick Scott is coming under fire in Southwest Florida.

Scott visited Florida Gulf Coast University Friday to talk about his proposal to eliminate sales tax on college textbooks, but he couldn’t escape the controversy surrounding the recent resignation of one of the state’s top law enforcement officials.

The governor remained steadfast in his assertion that his office handled the resignation of Gerald Bailey properly. Bailey, who resigned as Commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in December after 8 years, has since said he was forced out. He has also accused Scott of back-room political maneuvering and interfering in FDLE business.

“Those allegations against me are completely ridiculous and untrue,” Scott told WINK News Friday.

Scott’s fellow cabinet members have recently expressed concern about the way Scott’s office handled Bailey’s resignation.

“The way that [Bailey] was treated at the end of his distinguished career was shabby,” Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam told reporters Wednesday.

“Rick Scott and I have not said one single word to each other about this nor communicated through anyone about this,” said Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.

A St. Petersburg attorney has filed a complaint, calling for Governor Scott’s office to be investigated for violating the state’s Sunshine Law for not properly consulting the rest of the cabinet before allegedly forcing Bailey’s resignation.

“My staff sat down with the staff of the other cabinet officers, none of them objected. Gerald Bailey was given the opportunity to step down, he did,” Scott told WINK News Friday.

Scott did not answer when asked if he would cooperate in any possible criminal investigation.