Stiffing the Public

Not only did state Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush stiff the Legislature Tuesday, but six of his deputies refused to appear at an investigative hearing of the Senate Insurance Committee. The few who did testify declined to answer even basic questions, claiming attorney-client privilege or insisting that the information sought by lawmakers was confidential. The message: What goes on in the state Department of Insurance is none of the public’s business.

Quackenbush also signaled that he intends to battle every effort to determine how his department handled disputed claim settlements arising from the 1994 Northridge earthquake and why he allowed four big insurance companies to escape paying billions in possible fines. The companies ended up “donating” $12.8 million to private foundations that Quackenbush established.

The donated money was supposed to help earthquake victims, but most of it was spent for public service television commercials that did little more than polish Quackenbush’s political image. Despite these facts, Quackenbush continues to insist he did nothing wrong. Hundreds of homeowners who suffered heavy property damage in the 1994 quake are not buying that, nor should the rest of the public.

Quackenbush initially declined to appear before the committee Tuesday but complied when he was told that otherwise he would be subpoenaed. Called as the first witness, the embattled state officer read a brief statement accusing the committee of setting him up for “personal political ambush.” On the advice of his attorney, Quackenbush said he would answer no questions, claiming they would be politically motivated. With that, he left the hearing room.

Quackenbush bought himself a bit of political cover by releasing e-mail messages between legislative staffers that said he was too clever at sidestepping controversy and had to be “ambushed.” This gave fellow Republicans--for the first time--an excuse, however weak, to back Quackenbush’s claims that the investigation of his conduct is a political vendetta. But that contention is a red herring. The e-mail messages were written 15 months ago and did not involve the current controversy.

On Wednesday, Quackenbush was served with a subpoena to appear again before the Senate Insurance Committee June 5. His high-profile criminal defense lawyer may go to court to seek to quash the summons. Even if that tactic fails there is no assurance Quackenbush will respond to senators’ questions.

With Quackenbush refusing to resign and fighting the legislative majority at every turn, he invites lawmakers to initiate impeachment proceedings to remove him from office. Republican legislators--and probably Democrats too--do not want to see an impeachment circus drag through the months leading up to the fall’s national elections. It’s time now for responsible GOP leaders to present a choice to Quackenbush: spare everyone the trauma of impeachment and trial by resigning now or fight to the bitter end--alone--and be removed from office anyway.