Area residents protested at the headquarters of Mortgage Investors Corp. in St. Petersburg on Tuesday. They called on Gov. Rick Scott to use the $500,000 the company’s chairman donated to Scott’s re-election efforts towards a fund to help the hundreds of workers recently displaced by the company. Residents were shocked at the news that Bill Edwards is on the host committee for a fundraising event featuring the Governor tonight in St. Petersburg.
“We’re going to see where the Governors’ priorities lie,” said resident Vince Cocks. “He can either keep this tainted campaign money or he can help hard working Floridians that have lost their jobs.”
On October 14, it was reported that Mortgage Investors Corp laid off close to 500 workers, nearly half of them in St. Petersburg. By year’s end, the number of laid off workers will top 800. Mortgage Investors Corp. is headed by Bill Edwards, the Governor’s largest individual contributor aside from Scott’s own family. Protesters say the Governor should use the hefty campaign donation from Edwards to help the displaced workers.
Edwards, who owns several other companies, is not worried about his financial future. He recently told the Tampa Bay Times, “I’ve been doing this a long time. I’ve saved a lot. I’m financially sound.”
“Governor Scott and Bill Edwards are doing great, but what about the hundreds of workers Edwards laid off? Are they going to be able to make ends meet?” said Cocks. “Too many Floridians are without good-paying jobs because Rick Scott and his corporate donors are just out for themselves.
Cocks continued: “The Governor’s gotten what he wanted – large tax cuts for his corporate special interests donors and $1.3 billion cut to education – but our economy is stuck in neutral. The Governor’s plans aren’t working for Florida’s middle class.”
Earlier this year, the Federal Trade Commission alleged that Edwards’ company misled veterans about mortgages and violated Do Not Call regulations. It levied a $7.5 million penalty on Mortgage Investors Corp., the largest of its kind for alleged Do Not Call violations.
A number of veterans attended today’s protest, including Dr. Moses Green, who served in the Korean War. “The Governor needs to condemn this shameful activity and finally put this money to good use.”
