Ouster Of Florida's Top Cop Could Spark Power Shift
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBSMiami/AP) — The abrupt ousting of the head of Florida's law enforcement agency may spark a major shakeup in how top officials are hired.
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam on Wednesday called for an overhaul of how the Cabinet approves agency heads. Putnam also wants to change how the Cabinet oversees several departments.
Last week, Gov. Rick Scott, Putnam and two other officials agreed to appoint a new commissioner for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Former Commissioner Gerald Bailey was forced out by the Scott administration in December without the knowledge of other elected officials. Bailey has alleged he was pushed out after refusing unethical requests from Scott and his staff.
The uproar over Bailey's ouster has prompted other state elected officials to question what happened.
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