Attorney General, Pam Bondi is joining forces with Florida Cabinet members to investigate Governor Rick Scott’s actions that led to the resignation of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner, Gerald Bailey. Bondi was silent for a while and was watched closely by the state’s law enforcement network because she is the state’s chief legal officer and that requires her to work with law enforcement officials at all levels.

She broke her silence by issued the following statement:

 . . . The recent process behind the appointment of a new FDLE Commissioner has raised serious questions, and those questions should be answered to ensure transparency, and the public’s right to know.

Bondi went on to say:

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Since the last Cabinet meeting on January 13th, my office has been vigorously discussing how to do just that. At the next Cabinet meeting, on February 5th, we will discuss these issues, thoroughly, and in the sunshine.

Bondi’s statement came a day after Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater spoke out and called for a new search for Bailey’s replacement because Rick Swearington was handpicked by Scott for the position. Atwater had also pointed out he thought one of his deputies, Jay Etheridge should be considered for the position.

Atwater said:

We need a better process. One that’s transparent.

All of this questioning was brought on only after Bailey spoke to the press. He told the Times/Herald he did not resign voluntarily and that he was bullied to resign by Scott and his administration. He also told the Times/Herald Scott’s former chief of staff, Adam Hollingsworth, ordered him to falsely identify an Orlando court clerk as being the target of a criminal investigation.

The governor’s office has since denied all of Bailey’s allegations which are pretty serious. Governor Scott insisted he stepped down willingly. He said:

He did the right thing by stepping down. Rick Swearingen is going to do a good job. What I’ve done, as I’ve done in this job, and what I did in the private sector, is keep finding new people, find new energy, new idea. I’m going to continue to do that.

This situation has turned into a bad situation for Scott and tarnished the start of his second term as Governor. The liberal advocacy group, Progress Florida, has launched an online petition drive according to the Tampa Bay Times. Progress Florida is urging state prosecutor, Willie Meggs, to investigate Scott’s actions. A watchdog group named Integrity Florida has also called for a federal investigation of his actions.

Democrats have also called for legislative hearings and a state ethics commission investigation. They say Scott’s actions could be considered official misconduct.