Florida Banking Commissioner Ron Rubin was fired Thursday by the state's cabinet, after an inspector general's report alleged he had created a hostile work environment.
Rubin, a former House Financial Services Committee staffer, was put on leave in May after having led Florida's Office of Financial Regulation for just three months. He was asked to resign in May by state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis after the inspector general detailed allegations of sexual harassment against Rubin.
Rubin has denied the allegations while alleging corruption in Patronis' office. He claims Patronis targeted him because Rubin refused to hire a job candidate, recommended by the CFO, as the banking commission's general counsel.
Rubin also alleges that Patronis, through an intermediary, sought a campaign contribution from Rubin's father as a quid pro quo for his getting the bank regulatory job. In June, Rubin filed a racketeering lawsuit alleging blackmail, intimidation and a "pay to play" culture in Patronis' office.
State police are reviewing whether Patronis violated state law by publicizing the sexual harassment complaint against Rubin for political purposes.
