Scott's Chief Of Staff Resigns
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami) – Governor Rick Scott's chief of staff, Steve MacNamara has resigned after multiple reports surfaced of him sending no-bid contracts to friends and interfering with staffing decisions throughout the state government.
MacNamara was originally brought in to deal with Scott's poll number problems and to try and mend fences with the Florida legislature. While MacNamara has been in charge, Scott has met with editorial boards, dressed more casual, and is taking meetings with lobbyists, according to the Herald.
MacNamara had been planning to leave the job by the end of the year.
His final day in his position will be July 1.
Governor Scott released a statement late Saturday evening saying in part: "I'm grateful for Steve's invaluable assistance in helping advance my agenda to strengthen education, create jobs, and lower the cost of living for Floridians. Over the past 10 months, thanks to his expertise and guidance, we added $1 billion for education, we passed a job creation and economic development package, we passed accident fraud reform, and thanks to him, we implemented many positive changes to the way the State of Florida does business."
Problems surfaced this week that MacNamara also tried to isolate the governor from others ended up frustrating supporters, according to the Herald. He reportedly steered a $5.5 million contract to a partner of lobbyist Jim Eaton, who is a close friend of MacNamara.
According to the Herald, MacNamara was the highest paid staffer of Scott's and was also on unpaid leave from Florida State University where he taught communications. He said Friday the media was piling on to his work with the governor's office.
Jacksonville political consultant Adam Hollingsworth,43, who previously worked for Scott's campaign and was at one time a chief of staff to former Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton was appointed to replace MacNamara.
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