JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Gov. Rick Scott spoke publicly Friday about his chief of staff asking former Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll to resign last month in the wake of a Internet cafe gaming scandal involving Allied Veterans of the World.
Scott, who was in Jacksonville attending a women's conference at the University of North Florida, talked about the move a day after Carroll appeared on Channel 4 for her first television interview since her resignation.
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Carroll said she was asked to resign by Scott's chief of staff, Adam Hollingsworth, once investigators questioned her about any involvement with Allied Veterans, the nonprofit at the heart of a years-long, multistate racketeering investigation.
"As a matter of fact, they entered -- I don't want to get into specifics -- but when he did enter my office, he said, 'Oh, you spoke to (the Florida Department of Law Enforcement)? And what did they have to say?'" Carroll said. "And I shared with him, and he goes, 'Well, the governor would like you to resign,' and then presented the letter."
Carroll said Scott hasn't spoken to her since before her interview with FDLE. The former lieutenant governor said she was asked to resign just moments after she told investigators she did nothing wrong in connection to Allied Veterans, where she did a year's work of public relations for the organization.
SPECIAL SECTION: Internet Cafe Scandal
The governor's office issued a statement Thursday acknowledging some of Carroll's version. Then Scott spoke publicly Friday.
"Here is what happened," he said. "As you know, she sat down with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and then set down with my chief of staff and general counsel. She resigned. I think she did the right thing for her family and the right thing for the state."
Carroll said she doesn't know if the resignation request was about her previous work for Allied Veterans or if the governor really wanted someone else as his running mate for re-election next year.
Scott wouldn't answer that question.
Carroll said Scott did send her a card thanking her for her work. She also said she respects the governor and appreciates the opportunity to make history in the state.
Carroll answered questions for more than 30 minutes Thursday. The entire interview will air at 9 a.m. Sunday on This Week in Jacksonville on Channel 4.