NU Online News Service, Feb. 23, 1:53 p.m.EST

Former Georgia Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine issuedhimself insurance licenses before leaving office without completingthe necessary classes or tests, an Atlanta JournalConstitution investigation revealed.

The AJC reported that Mr. Oxendine granted himself awaiver and said his 16 years of experience as commissioner grantedhim enough experience to qualify for the licenses.

"If 16 years doesn't give you a little bit of insuranceexperience, I don't know what does," Mr. Oxendine said, accordingto the AJC. "I think that's [worth] a little bit more thantaking a test and taking a class."

The AJC said it obtained records revealing that Mr.Oxendine applied for insurance agent, adjuster and counselorlicenses on Jan. 4 and that the licenses were issued five dayslater, a day before Mr. Oxendine left his office to be succeeded byRalph Hudgens.

The AJC report cites critical reactions from bothRepublican and Democratic lawmakers in the state, as well as Mr.Hudgens, the new insurance commissioner.

Mr. Hudgens told the AJC he looked into whether he cando anything about the issuance of the licenses but noted that he isunable to revoke them, as the commissioner is allowed to grantwaivers.

An update in the AJC noted thatMr. Hudgens is supporting legislation to prevent commissioners fromgranting such waivers to themselves in the future.

For more information, see the AJC article, "Oxendine's Actions Assailed."