This week, PolitiFact confirmed that when deposed in lawsuits involving his company in 2000, Rick Scott invoked the Fifth Amendment 75 times. That’s the one that protects you against self-incrimination.
Scott was deposed in a civil case against his former company, Columbia/HCA, who later plead guilty to at least 14 corporate felonies including Medicare and Medicaid fraud, and paid a whopping $1.7 billion in criminal fines. Scott was under advisement from his attorney to invoke the Fifth Amendment in his deposition due to those ongoing criminal investigations.
Whether Rick Scott is under oath or he’s on the campaign trail, he just won’t answer questions.
When it comes to tackling problems, the voters of Florida don’t need a Governor who pleads the Fifth. They need real answers.
Background
2000: Rick Scott Was Deposed In A Civil Case; Invoked The 5th Amendment 75 Times. According to Politifact, “Scott gave a deposition in 2000 in which he invoked the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution 75 times. The amendment reads in part that no one ‘shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.’… The deposition was part of a civil case in which Nevada Communications Corp. alleged that Columbia/HCA breached the terms of a communications contract.” [Politifact, 6/17/14]
1997: Federal Agents Revealed They Were Investigating Rick Scott’s Company, Columbia/HCA, For Medicare And Medicaid Fraud. According to Politifact, “In early 1997, federal agents revealed they were investigating the Columbia/HCA chain for, among other things, Medicare and Medicaid fraud.” [Politifact, 6/17/14]
1997: Rick Scott Resigned From Columbia/HCA; The Company Later Pleaded Guilty To At Least 14 Corporate Felonies And Agreed To Pay A Combined $1.7 Billion In Criminal Fines. According to Politifact, “Scott resigned in July 1997. Scott said he wanted to fight the federal government accusations, but the corporate board of Columbia/HCA wanted to settle. In 2000, the company pleaded guilty to at least 14 corporate felonies and agreed to pay $840 million in criminal fines and civil damages and penalties. The government settled a second series of similar claims with Columbia/HCA in 2002 for an additional $881 million. The total for the two fines was $1.7 billion.” [Politifact, 6/17/14]
2000: Rick Scott Was Deposed In A Civil Case; Invoked The 5th Amendment 75 Times. According to Politifact, “Scott gave a deposition in 2000 in which he invoked the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution 75 times. The amendment reads in part that no one ‘shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.’ But that deposition was not part of the criminal fraud case being pursued by the federal government. … The deposition was part of a civil case in which Nevada Communications Corp. alleged that Columbia/HCA breached the terms of a communications contract.” [Politifact, 6/17/14]
- Rick Scott’s Attorney Said His Client Invoked The 5th Amendment As A Result Of The Criminal Investigations Into Columbia/HCA. According to Politifact, “The deposition was part of a civil case unrelated to the federal government’s criminal fraud investigation. However, Scott’s reason for invoking the Fifth Amendment was as a result of the criminal investigations, his lawyer said.” [Politifact, 6/17/14]
Published: Jun 24, 2014