Gov. Scott Responds To Former FDLE Leader's Comments

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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami) – Governor Rick Scott is going on the offensive regarding "Bailey Gate", the sudden departure of Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey, in December.

Bailey says he was forced out, but Scott says he resigned.

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In Miramar on Friday, to celebrate the grand opening of Seland, a leading ocean transportation company, and to note that Florida has added over 700,000 jobs in four years, the Governor said, "It's disappointing what happened. Gerry Bailey stepped down last month and waited until a new commissioner was approved by all the cabinet then he started his nasty attacks and it's not fair to the individuals at FDLE who have been doing a great job and the new commissioner who's going to do a great job."

In a recent interview with the Miami Herald/Tampa Bay times Bailey said Scott had lied when telling the Florida Cabinet that he had willingly resigned from his job as commissioner.

Cabinet members said they had not known until after the vote to hire a new commissioner that Bailey had been ousted.

Bailey says he was forced out after he refused to violate department policy, take political sides and to target a county clerk for something she had not done.

Scott denies the allegations.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam say the allegations made are serious enough to warrant an investigation by a third party.