BY SANDY THEIS
Enquirer Columbus Bureau
COLUMBUS -- Citing scandal and mismanagement at the Ohio Department of Insurance, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Lee Fisher called Tuesday for Harold Duyree to resign as the department's director.
He noted that Mr. Duyree has taken responsibility for the hiring of David Randall as the agency's second in command. Mr. Randall has pled guilty to felony bribery charges.
Mr. Fisher held his press conference across from Franklin County Common Pleas Court, where Mr. Randall is scheduled to be sentenced next Tuesday.
"This building has, unfortunately, come to represent the Ohio Department of Insurance," Mr. Fisher said. "Our department of insurance has become a department for insurance companies," not an advocate for consumers, he said.
Mr. Fisher noted that the Internal Revenue Service and FBI are investigating the department's oversight of six northeast Ohio insurance companies for possible health care fraud. He also said the department failed to protect senior citizens when Anthem withdrew its Senior Advantage Health Plan for about 20,000 Ohioans.
Health care reform has emerged as a major focus of Mr. Fisher's campaign, and he said previously announced initiatives would help prevent such abuses if he is elected. Among the proposals are increased protections for whistle-blowers and tougher penalties for insurance fraud.
Mr. Duyree, whom Gov. George Voinovich appointed to the post in 1991, said that he plans to stay put and insisted that Mr. Randall's problems should not reflect poorly on the entire department.
He said was unaware that Mr. Randall had accepted cash, air travel, a computer and other gifts from lobbyist Tom Strussion, who has pled guilty to attempting to bribe Mr. Randall.
He took full responsibility for hiring Mr. Randall and said no one pressured him to make the hire.
All major departments have some problems, Mr. Duyree said. Earlier this month, state officials fired another high-ranking insurance official, The Cincinnati Enquirer -->has learned.
Bruce Clement, who made $65,561 as a liaison officer, was terminated July 7 for not properly reporting time he took off work. His case is not related to Mr. Randall's.
Through a spokesman, Mr. Voinovich offered praise for Mr. Duyree. "He (Mr. Voinovich) thinks he's done a good job, and he has no plans to ask him to resign," Mike Dawson, spokesman for the governor said.
"If and when -- and it appears unlikely -- that Lee Fisher ever becomes governor, then he can decide who the director of the Department of Insurance is," Mr. Dawson said.
Secretary of State Bob Taft, who is challenging Mr. Fisher in the governor's race, declined to say whether Mr. Duyree should step down.
"These cabinet heads serve at the pleasure of the governor, so it's Gov. Voinovich's decision as to whether they stay or go," Taft spokesman Brett Buerck said.
He did say that Mr. Taft, if elected, will ask all sitting cabinet directors to resign but did not rule out reappointing some.
