Florida Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has been battered recently with allegations of past improprieties.
This did not stop the state-run insurer from releasing the results of an audit of about 475 cases of internal complaints at the insurer since 2008—including some eye-opening occurrences of discrimination, affairs, fraud, corruption, and theft.
"This had been in the works," says Citizens spokesman Michael Peltier, of the internal review. "We have been pushing to remain transparent, change the culture and get on with what our business is.
"This is not a response [to the public criticisms of Citizens]," he adds.
CEO Barry Gilway adds in a statement that the review "is an important piece of Citizens' ongoing efforts to strengthen internal policies to ensure that our employees are held to the highest standards of corporate integrity."
Gilway was hired as CEO about eight months ago but he has been the bearer of much of the criticism about the indiscretions of the past.
Since taking the helm, Gilway revised the complaint-intake process, restructured internal audit capabilities and tightened the travel and procurement policies. Citizens has been heavily condemned for misappropriations related to travel and expenses.
In a PC360 interview with Gilway, he says the expenses and travel guidelines at Citizens are now "tighter than a drum."
Citizens Internal Auditor Joe Martins says the review revealed "weaknesses," but the insurer is "making necessary improvements to strengthen our complaints and disciplinary procedures."
The review holds noting back. Brief synopses of all complaints and responses are included for public consumption. Many claims were unsubstantiated.
The report includes complaints of race and sexual discrimination, workplace retaliation, favoritism and hostility, and inappropriate romantic affairs. Employees lied about criminal histories and education on applications.
Other complaints involve employees using computers to look at pornography. Some employees were found to have violated policies by removing their bras at a bar following a business meeting.
Some actions required the authorities. One employee allegedly used corporate resources to commit bank fraud and another used the card to make purchases and return them for cash.
© Arc, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.