“I’d have to look into it.” Scott said. “I don’t know, I’ve got an accountant that does all that.”
This is Rick Scott's response for not reporting his use of a plane as a gift with the Florida Commission Of Ethics.
Sound familiar? If so, that's because he often uses the "clueless" excuse when it comes to his controversies. Like he didn't know what was going on at Columbia/HCA when it wound up setting the record for Medicare fraud fines under his watch.
"I don't know."
I suppose given Scott's history of not answering questions or talking to the press he probably thinks that's all we need to know.
Luckily there are other ways to get the information when Governor Scott seeks to avoid "government in the sunshine." Those who do know fill in the blanks:
When Rick Scott travels by air, he flies on a Raytheon Jet. FAA records show the jet registered to a Naples corporation, which is in turn owned by another corporation, Rick Scott Investments.
When Scott first announced he would use the plane back in January, we asked how he might account for the use of a corporately owned plane under state law.
Reporter: How will that work?
Scott: It’s my plane, I’ll pay for it myself.
Unfortunately Rick Scott doesn't really own the plane, and it needs to be reported as a gift to the ethics commission.
“In this case, it’s my understanding that it’s from a corporation,” ethics and elections expert Mark Herron said. “It has to be reported as a gift, unless the person who’s traveling is paying fair market value under ethics rules for that transportation.”
Under Florida law, Governor Rick Scott should have filed this form for the airplane trips he took in January, February, and March by June 30th with the Florida Commission on Ethics.
The Ethics Commission says they have nothing on file.
When asked about this, Scott gave the brush-off response above.
“I’d have to look into it.” Scott said. “I don’t know, I’ve got an accountant that does all that.”
No, apparently Scott's accountant doesn't do "all that." Scott will "look into it."
Sure he will.
Experts chalk up the failure to report the trips as a rookie mistake by a staff and legal team not familiar with the requirements of Florida law.
Yet another rookie mistake by a legal team and a Governor not familiar with Florida law.
