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In First Ad, Florida Democrats Hold Rick Scott Accountable for Record of Fraud

“From historic Medicare fraud to massive giveaways to special interests, we’re showing Floridians why they just can’t trust Rick Scott.” — Chair Allison Tant 

Today, the Florida Democratic Party announced its first television ad of the 2014 gubernatorial election. Titled “Answers”, the ad holds Rick Scott accountable for breaking trust with Floridians, first by allowing his company to steal billions from Medicare, and then by giving away millions to wealthy special interests.

The ad is backed by a six-figure buy in the Tampa, Orlando, and West Palm Beach media markets.

Florida Democratic Party Chair Allison Tant said, “Floridians need a governor who they can trust will wake up every day to fight for the middle class. As a CEO, Rick Scott oversaw the largest Medicare fraud in American history at the expense of patients, seniors, and taxpayers. As governor, Scott has broken our trust again, cutting education to pay for tax giveaways and special deals for the wealthiest Floridians, his political contributors, and special interests.  The Florida Democratic Party is making sure middle class Floridians know why Rick Scott can’t be trusted to fight for them in a second term — just look at his record.” 

Click here to view the ad, titled “Answers”

  

Ad Script

Maybe you’ve heard about what was the largest Medicare fraud in history, committed when Rick Scott was a CEO.  

Or that Scott’s company paid record fraud fines of 1.7 billion dollars.  

And when Scott was deposed in lawsuits about his company, he took the fifth seventy-five times. 

Meaning, seventy-five times, Scott refused to answer questions because – if he had – he might admit to committing a crime. 

A troubling past.  And now Rick Scott is our governor.  

Sponsored by the Florida Democratic Party. 


Background

Orlando Sentinel Editorial: The Largest Medicare Fraud In History, Happened On Rick Scott’s Watch At Columbia/HCA. Orlando Sentinel Editorial: Rick Scott’s “insistence that he knew nothing about the largest Medicare fraud in history, which happened on his watch at Columbia/HCA, should make anyone think twice about his capacity to make government more accountable.” (Orlando Sentinel, Editorial, 08/08/10)

PolitiFact Florida: Rick Scott “Oversaw The Largest Medicare Fraud At The Time.” PolitiFact Florida rated the claim that Rick Scott “oversaw the largest Medicare fraud in the nation’s history,” as “Mostly True,” saying, “Scott oversaw the largest Medicare fraud at the time.” (Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times, 03/03/14)

St. Petersburg Times Editorial: Rick Scott “Ran A Company That Was Fined A Record $1.7 Billion For Medicare And Medicaid Fraud.” St. Petersburg Times Editorial: “Rick Scott is a hospital executive who ran a company that was fined a record $1.7 billion for Medicare and Medicaid fraud.” (St. Petersburg Times, Editorial, 08/08/10)

U.S. Department of Justice: HCA Inc., Formerly Known As Columbia/HCA And HCA, Paid $1.7 Billion In Fines, Civil Penalties And Damages, “The Largest Recovery Ever Reached By The Government In A Health Care Fraud Investigation.” A 2003 Depart of Justice press release announced that “HCA Inc. (formerly known as Columbia/HCA and HCA – The Healthcare Company) has agreed to pay the United States $631 million in civil penalties and damages arising from false claims the government alleged it submitted to Medicare and other federal health programs,” marking “the conclusion of the most comprehensive health care fraud investigation ever undertaken by the Justice Department,” and resolving.” (U.S. Department of Justice, Press Release, 06/26/03)

In “A Series Of Sworn Depositions He Gave In Lawsuits Against His Former Hospital Company,” Rick Scott Gave “Murky Testimony.” Rick Scott the candidate promises voters ‘the unvarnished truth.’ But Rick Scott the witness offers little but murky testimony. In a series of sworn depositions he gave in lawsuits against his former hospital company, Scott appears to be the polar opposite of the straight-talking Republican candidate for governor in his television ads.” (Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times, 10/18/10)

In A Case “Filed By A Nevada Company, Scott Confirmed Only His Name Before Invoking 75 Times His Fifth Amendment…” In a case “filed by a Nevada company, Scott confirmed only his name before invoking 75 times his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.”  (Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times, 10/18/10) 

Asked About A Question Related To His Company’s “Improper Billing Practices,” Rick Scott Invoked The Fifth. “In the 2000 deposition obtained by the Orlando Sentinel, when Scott is asked whether he is employed, his lawyer, Steven Steinbach, interjects to state that ‘unfortunately because of the pendency of a number of criminal investigations relating to Columbia around the country, he’s going to follow my advice, out of prudence, assert his constitutional privilege against giving testimony against himself. … that privilege is not an indication of any guilt.’ Scott is then asked a series of questions regarding the contract dispute between Columbia and Nevada Communications, and he invoked the Fifth Amendment’s protection against self-incrimination on each. On Page 17 of the deposition, Scott is asked: ‘Do you have any knowledge tending to indicate that Columbia’s claim against Florida Software is or was designed to cover up or obfuscate Columbia’s improper billing practices?’ Again, Scott pleads the Fifth.” (Orlando Sentinel, 08/21/10) 

“Scott Said He Pleaded The Fifth So Many Times Because The Opposing Lawyers Were On A ‘Fishing Expedition,’” But Legal Experts Said The Fifth Amendment Is A Way To Protect Yourself From Prosecution. “During the Univision debate on Oct. 8, 2010, Scott said he pleaded the Fifth so many times because the opposing lawyers were on a “fishing expedition.” But that’s not what the Fifth Amendment should be used for, legal experts say. The Fifth Amendment is a way to protect yourself from prosecution, regardless of whether you committed the crime. ‘The Fifth Amendment is not a shield against fishing expeditions,’ said Nancy Dowd, a UF Levin College of Law professor. ‘If you want to cloak yourself in the protection of the Fifth Amendment, it has to be for the reason that your answer could result in criminal liability.’ Added Bruce Jacob, a law professor at Stetson: ‘You should not use the Fifth Amendment privilege if you don’t think there’s possible criminal liability.’” (Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times, 10/12/10)

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