Lawmakers: Regier's actions may require more than an apology

Lawmakers: Regier's actions may require more than an apology

BRENDAN FARRINGTON

Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Some lawmakers from both parties are questioning
whether Department of Children & Families Secretary Jerry Regier's
apology for getting too friendly with a contractor is enough.

Regier acknowledged last week that staying at the beach house of a
contractor and attending a birthday party thrown by the same man gave
the appearance of impropriety. His apology came the same day two top
DCF officials resigned after a report showed they accepted trips and
gifts from contractors.

While Gov. Jeb Bush spoke with Regier and said he has confidence in
him, lawmakers are now making their own judgment.

"I find it hard for him not to have known what was going on with his
employees. That is a major concern for a top administrator," said Sen.
Evelyn Lynn, who chairs the Senate Children & Families Committee.
"He's supposed to know what is ethical and appropriate. That's part of
knowing how to function well in his job."

While Lynn said the department appears to have shown improvement
during Regier's tenure, the latest problems at the agency are an
example of poor oversight. The Republican from Ormond Beach said Bush
should take a careful look at the department to make sure it is
benefiting from its privatization efforts.

Deputy Secretary Ben Harris and Information Technology Director Glenn
Palmiere resigned last week after Bush's Inspector General's office
found they took gifts and trips from companies contracting with DCF.

The report also found that Regier and other DCF officials attended a
birthday party for Regier that was hosted by a personal friend of the
secretary, Jim Bax, who was director of the Florida State University
Institute for Health and Human Services Research. The institute at the
time had nearly $2 million in contract work from DCF. On another
occasion Regier and his wife stayed overnight at Bax's Longboat Key
beach home.

Incoming Senate President Tom Lee said he hasn't seen the report nor
spoken with Regier and he wants to see how things play out before
passing judgment on Regier. He made it clear, though, he has little
tolerance for unethical behavior.

"I can't think of anything that bothers me more as a public servant
than to see behavior that adversely impacts the public trust," said
Lee, R-Brandon. "The staff of the Senate is pouring over the inspector
general's report and trying to assimilate how far up it implicates the
administration.

"If the secretary knew or should have know that this was going on then
he ought to go find another job and I would suggest outside
government."

It isn't the first time Regier has been called into question over
contracts. When he served as Oklahoma's Department of Health and Human
Services director, lawmakers accused Regier of skirting the state's
competitive bidding laws in awarding $1.2 million worth of contracts
to a public relations company run by a friend. Regier defended the
contracts.

Regier has said he doesn't plan to resign.

"The secretary was appointed to lead this agency and he is committed
to the responsibilities that come with it," said DCF spokesman Bill
Spann.

A report released by the department in April showed a dramatic drop in
the backlog of child abuse and neglect investigations, a higher
adoption rate and better employee stability since Regier took over in
September 2002.

Sen. Mike Haridopolos cited that improvement in defending Regier. He
also said Bush would have taken stronger action if it were necessary.

"The governor has set a standard and I think he has been consistent
with that standard," said Haridopolos, R-Melbourne. "He looked at the
bottom line and I'm satisfied with the governor's decision because I
trust the governor."

Bush was disappointed in Regier, but the secretary has taken steps to
prevent future problems at the agency, said Jill Bratina, the
governor's spokeswoman.

"The governor believes he has charted a course that recommits the
agency to the highest ethical standards, and looks forward to updates
from him as he completes his internal reviews," Bratina said.

But Sen. Rod Smith said predicted the matter may not be over.

"I would not at all be surprised to see a change," said Smith,
D-Gainesville. "In terms of appearance of impropriety, it doesn't look
good. And it certainly doesn't look good when two people have lost
their jobs over the same or similar conduct."
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