Insurance Commissioner Returns Money

Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine has returned $120,000 that was funneled into his gubernatorial campaign by two insurance firms.

The Republican detailed the returns in a campaign filing submitted late Tuesday night. The move comes after The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found that the two Georgia insurance companies sent the money into Oxendine's campaign through 10 Alabama-based political action committees. Georgia law forbids public officials from taking money from the companies they regulate.

Oxendine has said in a statement that he had requested an advisory opinion from the state ethics officials days before the newspaper's story ran in May. He had called the story a "hit piece."

Candidates Find Funds Trickling In

Campaign finance reports for Georgia's crowded gubernatorial field are trickling in. Among the Republican contenders, state Sen. Eric Johnson of Savannah raised nearly $963,000 since he entered the race in April. Secretary of State Karen Handel she raised more than $430,000 during the six-month reporting period, while Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine said he raised about $420,000. State Rep. Austin Scott has raised about $180,000 and long-shot GOP candidate Ray McBerry has also raised about $18,000. U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal had yet to report.

On the Democratic side, former Georgia National Guard commander David Poythress said he raised about $150,000 during the six-month span. And, House Minority Leader DuBose Porter says he's taken in about $231,000.

Reports for the other two Democrats running - former Gov. Roy Barnes, H and Attorney General Thurbert Baker - were not immediately available.

(Associated Press)

Insurance Rates Could Rise

Insurance rates could go up for Atlanta homeowners if the city doesn’t hire more firefighters. Georgia Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner John Oxendine Cited a report by the New Jersey-based Insurance Services Office. Many companies use the rating to help determine how much homeowners should pay for insurance. It found Atlanta's public protection classification rating dropped from 2 to 4 on a scale of 10 with 1 being the best rating. Atlanta has nine months to make changes that will allow the city to keep its current rating or drop to a 3.

(Associated Press)

Oxendine To Return Questioned Contributions

Republican gubernatorial candidate John Oxendine says he is returning more than $100,000 in campaign contributions brought into question by a recent investigative report by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The report claims two insurance companies in the state headed by the same person directed $120,000 to Oxendine’s campaign. The paper says money was received from the insurance companies through 10 political action committees set up by an Alabama board member of both firms. Oxendine is Georgia’s Insurance and fire safety commissioner, and was the first Republican to announce his entry into the 2010 governor’s race.

Below is Oxendine's statement released Monday on his website:

"I appreciate all those who have expressed their support these past few days as our campaign has addressed an issue related to contributions made to our campaign.

As it appeared to us, these were not checks from an insurance company we regulate. Additionally, it appeared that these checks were from different entities, not controlled by the same person or people. Under those facts, as we understood them, accepting these contributions was perfectly legal. Based on facts that have recently come to light, previously unknown to us, we have concerns whether our understanding of the facts were complete. Last week, before these facts fully came to light, we filed an advisory opinion request with the Georgia State Ethics Commission.

Out of an abundance of caution, I decided to return the funds pending advice from the State Ethics Commission. Let me be transparent and direct with the taxpayers of Georgia. I have promised to transform Georgia government. Although my staff and legal counsel, Stefan Passantino of McKenna, Long and Aldridge, advise that we have done nothing illegal, based on the facts as we know them, I am concerned Georgia voters might see this as politics as usual. Therefore, last week, immediately after my initial awareness of this matter, I ordered the process be set in motion to return every single contribution in question and to seek advice as to our rights and obligations to the State Ethics Commission.

I have criticized this as a hit piece and the facts are thus: Mr. Passantino communicated via email with the AJC reporter last Friday that they were to speak today. It is unfortunate that the AJC elected to move forward with this piece before having spoken with Mr. Passantino to get our side of the story. Had this occurred, the story would not have been an issue because the AJC would have had the opportunity to report that the money had already been returned and that we had previously initiated a request for guidance and clarification from the State Ethics Commission.

The critics have questioned my personal integrity. I respect each of you as voters. I realize that many Georgians support our campaign and some oppose it. However, I am determined that those who do oppose my campaign, do so based on honorable disagreements on the issues and not based on a question of my integrity as it relates to campaign contributions.

I will run a non-traditional campaign and be a different type of Governor. I hope that today I have taken steps to demonstrate my sincerity to Georgia. It is my desire to have a campaign that is a positive, issue-oriented campaign based on traditional Reagan conservative values.

When reporters cover issues such as campaign contributions as opposed to covering the important issues before Georgia of transportation, education, water, health care, jobs, agriculture, and the Fair Tax, nothing is done to improve the lives of working families in Georgia.

I am pleased this matter is behind us and welcome the opportunity to listen to Georgians about those issues important to them and to talk about my Contract with Georgia."

Oxendine Campaign Money Questioned

Allegations have surfaced over some money raised by a candidate for Georgia governor. An investigative report by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution found two insurance companies in the state headed by the same person directed $120,000 dollars to the campaign of John Oxendine. The paper found money was received from the insurance companies through 10 political action committees set up by an Alabama board member of both firms. Oxendine is Georgia’s Insurance and fire safety commissioner, and was the first Republican to announce his entry into the 2010 governor’s race. One of his opponents is Secretary of State Karen Handel--a spokesman for her campaign told the AJC the allegations are "serious", and the money should be returned. An Oxendine spokesperson told the paper the attacks come because Oxendine is a front-runner in the governor’s race.

Thomasville, Area Residents Take Stock in Tornadoes' Wake (photos)

Last Thursday's tornadoes caused heavy damage to a mental hospital and two counties in southwest Georgia.

Red dots represent the tornadoes' damage track near Thomasville, Ga. Click image for larger graphic. (Courtesy: NOAA)

Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine visited and flew over areas hit by the twisters, and puts an over $10 million dollar price tag on the damage.

The tornadoes blew down two pine trees across this house off State Highway 319, south of Thomasville. Ga., in this photo taken on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009. (Photo courtesy Greg Miller)

He says he was surprised by the extent of the destruction, and adds that Thomas County sustained the greatest damage statewide:

"In Thomas and Grady County there were about 100 homes and other structures that were damaged by the two tornadoes that went through Thomas County, and there were about two dozen that were either destroyed or almost destroyed."

The storms wreaked havoc on Southwestern State mental Hospital in Thomasville. Officials, however, report no injuries.

The tornado demolished this enclosed corridor, "part of an old military barracks on the Southwestern State Hospital campus." (Photo: Teresa Williams/Thomasville Times-Enterprise)

Almost 160 patients remain hospitalized at the 420-bed center, although many have been moved to other facilities in Columbus and Milledgeville, for the interim.

Oxendine says his office hopes to meet with counterparts at the Department of Human Resources, who run Southwestern State, in coming days.

The storm's winds overturned this school bus, in the parking lot of the Brookwood school, Thomasville. Ga., in this photo taken on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009. The school sustained damage, but there were no injuries to students or staff, according to the photographer. (Photo courtesy Greg Miller)

Officials estimate the storm's effects statewide at upwards of $35 million dollars.

View Larger Map

Google street level map of Southwestern State Hospital at Thomasville, Ga.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of last week's storms.

Health insurer error exposes personal info

Thousands of Georgians insured under health provider Blue Cross/Blue Shield may be at identity risk following the mass mailings of claims documents to wrong addresses.

Georgia insurance officials estimate over 200,000 Explanation of Benefits letters sent by Blue Cross went to wrong addresses last week. Letters included information such as a patient’s name, ID number, and amounts charged and owed. And some letters included social security numbers.

State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine says sensitive medical information of patients could be exposed.

"I’d say it’s the most serious violation of any major insurer that we’ve had since I’ve been in office, and I’ve been in office for 14 years".

Blue Cross says an improperly tested computer system change is to blame. A company statement says this is an isolated incident, and that changes have been made to prevent a repeat problem. A spokeswoman says the percentage of social security numbers exposed was small.

Blue Cross has a little over 3-million policyholders in Georgia.

Insurance agent arrested on fraud charges

Insurance Commissioner John W. Oxendine announced on Friday that a Gwinnett County insurance agent has been arrested on insurance fraud charges.

The suspect, Lonnie Robinson, 59, of Flowery Branch, allegedly forged the signatures of two elderly women, a 74, and a 90-year-old on applications for Medicare Advantage policies.

“I have no tolerance for criminals who attempt to defraud elderly victims like this,” Oxendine said, and cautioned Georgians to be wary of rip-off artists when contacted about switching to a Medicare drug plan.

Robinson has been charged with two counts of insurance fraud, according to a statement from Oxendine's office.

All of the approved plans are available at www.medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Oxendine: $40 M in insured storm losses

Heavy thunderstorms and possible tornadoes on May 20, caused some $40 million in insured damages in Cherokee and north Fulton counties, according to Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John Oxendine:

“After one week of documenting damage in the North Metro area, the insured losses there are at least $40 million,” Oxendine said. “Actual losses are much higher when you consider things like infrastructure damage and uninsured losses.”

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the recent severe weather statewide.

Record year for storm damage

State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine says severe weather in 2008 has set a record for damage losses. He estimates Georgians have experienced more than $400 million in insured losses since January. That surpasses the previous record set in 1998. Oxendine expects the figures to climb as more losses are tallied from Tuesday night’s storms.

Oxendine running for Governor

Georgia Insurance commissioner John Oxendine announced today that he will make a run for the Governor's office in 2 years. Oxendine, a Republican, says it was the bitter infighting among his own party during the past legislative session that convinced him to run. He says Issues like tax reform, transportation and trauma care were left unfinished because the state house and senate did not get along.

“I am disappointed,” Oxendine says. “We have some of the finest Georgians are in the House and the Senate the results that have been coming out have been disappointing.”

Oxendine says the fact that he has never been a senator or state representative would be a plus, given the current environment under the gold dome.

Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle and House Speaker Glenn Richardson have also been mentioned as possible gubernatorial candidates.

Oxendine: Over $150 million in Atlanta storm damage

Click here for the latest National Weather Service update.

People get out and survey the damage in Atlanta's Cabbage Town neighborhood. At least 27 people were hurt Friday night, though no injuries were believed to be life-threatening. (AP Photo/John Amis)

State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine estimated damage from Friday night's storm at $150 million to $200 million.

Tens of thousands of basketball fans at two Atlanta arenas were perfectly safe, officials insisted Saturday, even though the crowds apparently weren't warned about an approaching tornado — one that would ravage skyscrapers and injure dozens.

About 18,000 people were watching the Southeastern Conference men's tournament Friday night at the Georgia Dome when its fabric roof began rippling, the catwalks above the court started swaying and chunks of insulation rained onto the players.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning about eight minutes before the twister hit, but it wasn't clear when or if that alert was passed on to fans, said Katy Pando, a dome spokeswoman. Fans claimed they never heard or saw one.

Another 16,000 fans watching an NBA game at Philips Arena, in the same complex as the dome, weren't told of the weather, either. The arena apparently sustained little damage, Atlanta Hawks spokesman Arthur Triche said.

Governor Sonny Perdue and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin declared a state of emergency in several areas in Atlanta.

A sign rests atop four cars in a downtown Atlanta parking lot after a tornado touched down Friday evening, pictured Saturday March 15, 2008. (AP / Ron Williams)

The tornado, with wind up to 130 mph, cut a 6-mile path through downtown Atlanta, smashing hundreds of windows in and around the CNN Center, blowing furniture and luggage out of hotel rooms and crumbling part of an apartment building.

A cab sits in the debris in front of CNN Center in downtown Atlanta Friday, March 14, 2008.
(AP Photo/Dave Martin)

At least two people died in Polk and Floyd counties from the storms. A third is reported in critical condition.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the storm damage in downtown Atlanta Friday evening.

Click here for tornado and severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service for the Atlanta area and statewide.

(The Associated Press)