The controversy continues over the head of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Gov. Rick Scott got rid of the old commissioner and has already picked a new one, but Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater wants him to reconsider that choice.

Atwater is a statewide elected official with an obscure title, but now he's becoming a powerful voice in a scandal brewing in the governor's office.

"The allegations that I've read, I think, are serious," he said.

When the Florida Cabinet voted last week to pick a replacement for long-time FDLE Commissioner Jerry Bailey, Atwater said he assumed Bailey retired voluntarily, so he voted yes.

It was only after Atwater voted that he learned Bailey was forced out by Scott. Bailey said he was let go because of campaign politics.

Atwater said that he wants a new vote now.

"You're right: we can always do better," he said. "Why don't you bring some recommendations to the Cabinet? Secondly, the Cabinet can open, revisit, the selection process of the commissioner."

On the state Cabinet, every member is created equal. It doesn't matter if you are the governor, the attorney general, the agricultural commissioner or the chief financial officer. That means that what Scott says isn't necessarily the final word.

On Wednesday, Attorney General Pam Bondi annouced the FDLE controversy has "raised serious questions" and, like Atwater, she'd like to take them up at the next Cabinet meeting.

Scott disagrees, saying a new vote would bring "unnecessary turmoil," as he wrote in a letter to Atwater. He said he believes government should be more like business and "frequently change leadership to bring in new ideas and fresh energy."

But as Scott has learned while in office, government isn't like the private sector. There isn't just one boss but many of them, and now they are demanding a chance to weigh in.

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam on Wednesday called for an overhaul of how the Cabinet approves agency heads. Putnam also wants to change how the Cabinet oversees several departments.

Letter from Gov. Scott to CFO Atwater

The Honorable Jeff Atwater
Chief Financial Officer
The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399

Dear Chief Financial Officer Atwater:

Thank you for your letter and support of FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen. As you indicate in your letter, I believe there is always room for improvement in any system and I look forward to any ideas you would like to share for an improved process in the next Cabinet meeting.

As you know, I believe that government needs to be more like business and frequently change leadership to bring in new ideas and fresh energy. There are no lifetime appointments in executive government – just as there are no guaranteed lifetime jobs in the private sector outside of government.

In that vein, I am hopeful that we can have a discussion at the upcoming Cabinet meeting about how to begin a search for new leadership at the Office of Insurance Regulation, the Office of Financial Regulation and the Department of Revenue so we can get fresh ideas into those Cabinet positions at the start of a second term. Your input on these financial areas will be important.

As you suggest, there can also be a cabinet search commenced for other FDLE candidates; however, I would not support any change to Commissioner Rick Swearingen’s current position during this time in order to avoid unnecessary turmoil within an organization of great men and women working hard every day to keep Florida safe.

Sincerely,

Rick Scott
Governor