It's official.
Attorney General Bill McCollum has joined in the expanded
investigation into fundraising activities at the Office of Insurance
Regulation.
CFO Alex Sink on Tuesday asked Gov. Charlie Crist's inspector general
to join the case, and on Wednesday extended that invitation as well to
the attorney general and the agriculture commissioner. She cited state
laws that rule the jurisdiction of those investigators when dealing with
an agency and insurance commissioner overseen by the full Cabinet.
Though Sink's staff on Wednesday said everyone was on board,
McCollum didn't sign off until noon Thursday. He agreed that Inspector
General James Varnado will join the investigation.
Sink is questioning McCarty's use of his office and staff in pulling
off an annual charity gala for the March of Dimes. Thanks to heavy
contributions from the insurance industry, the Tallahassee Food and Wine
Festival raked in more than $500,000 in 2005.

Despite appearances, not every property insurer in Florida is gunning
for Kevin McCarty's head.

The embattled insurance commissioner is under fire for soliciting
political and charitable contributions from those he regulates. CFO Alex
Sink contends some industry representatives have felt pressured by
McCarty. Gov. Charlie Crist contends the industry is seeking retaliation
against McCarty as the state presses for rate cuts.

But lobbyist Mark Delegal says State Farm, at least, stands by the
Florida regulator.

"He's one of the finest in the country," Delegal said, warning those
who want McCarty gone that a replacement will be hard to find.

"They better be careful."

Dialing for McCarty

Though the affair was billed otherwise, Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty was a no-show at the April 18 fundraiser for Leon circuit court candidate Robin Lotane.

Here is one of the campaign calls that went out, irking CFO Alex Sink. This message -- from an invitee's answering machine -- was provided by Sink's Florida Department of Financial Services.