Governor Crist to Sue Property Insurers

The following information regarding a possible class action lawsuit by Governor Charlie Crist against Florida property insurers was logged on the Palm Beach Post news Web site this afternoon. 

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Crist to sue property insurers

By Dara Kam | Tuesday, December 18, 2007, 03:57 PM

From The Palm Beach Post’s “One More Question” 

Gov. Charlie Crist has asked three trial lawyers to sue some property insurers doing business in Florida, possibly with a class-action lawsuit, because he believes they are in violation of new laws passed by the legislature nearly a year ago.

Crist said today he has asked Dexter Douglass, Robert Hackleman and Roberto “Bobby” Martinez to figure out a way to sue property insurance companies. The lawyers have agreed to do the work for free, Crist said.

Crist said he wants the trio, who will work with Crist’s general counsel Paul Huck, to sue the property insurers and get homeowners refunds on what he believes were overpayments on premiums.

“I think they’ve been ripped off. I think these companies, I know, they have been greedy. I believe they have been unfair. I think the only way we can get some recourse and some justice on behalf of the people I serve is to take them to court,” Crist said.

Douglass, a Democrat, previously served as the late Gov. Lawton Chiles’ general counsel and was one of a cadre of attorneys involved in a successful class-action lawsuit against the tobacco industry.

Martinez is a member of the Florida Board of Education and was chair of Crist’s transition team, on which Hackleman also served.