Diamond Jim Donelon’s asleep at the wheel.Recently, Mississippi attorney Richard "Dickie" Scruggs told members of the Louisiana Association for Justice that insurance companies are ripping off the National Flood Insurance Program by altering engineering reports to falsely conclude that rising water, not wind, caused damages from Hurricane Katrina.
That’s right: RIPPING OFF!
Scruggs explained, "They instructed the adjusters to max out the flood (insurance)." Scruggs warned, "Given what we know now about State Farm, it would in inconceivable if it weren't going on in Louisiana, too."
Diamond Jim’s supposed to be looking out for Louisiana policyholders. But, he hasn’t heard the warning.
As Louisiana’s Insurance Commissioner, why hasn’t Diamond Jim investigated State Farm and other Louisiana insurers to determine if they’ve altered engineering reports to falsely conclude that rising water, not wind, caused damages from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita?
Well, I apologize for such a naïve question. We know why Diamond Jim hasn't done anything. Don’t we?
Diamond Jim’s playing “Mickey the Dunce.” Insurance companies are substantial contributors to the Republican Party. Republican heavy-hitters have told Diamond Jim that insurance companies are off limits.
Here’s how it’s done in other states. In 2003 it was discovered that 21st Century Insurance Group secretly contributed $950,000 to the California Republican Party and 15 county committees just before the 2002 general election.
People in Louisiana are still hurting from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita! So what does Diamond Jim propose? A corporate welfare scheme. He wants to pay insurance companies to do business here! Hey, Diamond Jim, don't pay insurance companies a penny! Do your job and investigate them!
