Scott, Atwater do battle over FDLE chief controversy

TALLAHASSEE --

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.

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Scott, Atwater do battle over FDLE chief controversy