CA: Governor's aide says he misstated payment

Sac Bee ^ | 7/21/05 | Dan Smith

[NormsRevenge]

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's chief spokesman on Wednesday said he unintentionally mischaracterized a payment an insurance company made to one of the governor's companies in 2004.

Communications Director Rob Stutzman had said the payment from Zurich American to Schwarzenegger's Oak Productions represented a settlement of a dispute with electronics retailer Best Buy involving the unauthorized use of Schwarzenegger's image.

But Stutzman on Wednesday said the payment - characterized on the governor's disclosure forms only as more than $10,000 - did not involve Best Buy. And he said a nondisclosure clause in the settlement prevents him from revealing the identity of the company or individual for whom Zurich American made the settlement payment. The payment, Stutzman said Wednesday, "settled a legal dispute with a non-California company."

Payments to Schwarzenegger's companies have drawn scrutiny since it was disclosed in federal filings a week ago that the governor had a deal with muscle magazines that would pay him at least $5 million over five years.

--snip--

The payment from Zurich American had raised questions because its 15 operating affiliates, including Farmers Insurance, did millions of dollars in workers' compensation business during 2004 alone, according to Department of Insurance reports.

After the Schwarzenegger administration unveiled plans to overhaul workers' compensation insurance, Zurich donated $50,000 to the governor's political committee Feb. 23, 2004, campaign records filed with the state show. That contribution was returned March 16 - after Schwarzenegger fundraiser Marty Wilson decided to temporarily stop accepting contributions from insurance companies with a stake in the outcome of the controversial debate.

--snip--

Stutzman has said the payments from all the companies resulted from routine business transactions that pose no conflict with Schwarzenegger's duties as governor.

[NormsRevenge]

Mi$$ing Gray, anyone? lol

[NormsRevenge]

I'm just posing a hypotherical question.

Please don't Tancredo me for it.

;-)

[Who dat?]

…Zurich American had raised questions because its 15 operating affiliates, including Farmers Insurance…

Um, either nitpicking or a misunderstanding on my part, but I was under the impression that Zurich was the “parent” company of Farmers. That’s slightly different than an “operating affiliate” in my mind…

Like – Farmers and Mid-Century are affiliates. Farmers and Zurich are not… but whatever…

[calcowgirl]

So, a year later he finally realized this? He said it was Best Buy even though Best Buy had nothing to do with it? It's not really Zurich American either, but some other unnamed company. And he won't tell you the name of the company because he signed an agreement that said he would keep it secret. Am I getting this right?

But, not to worry. Stutzman says there is no conflict. This is the same guy that said there wasn't a conflict with the Magazines and it was "much ado about nothing." Sure, Bob. Whatever you say.

Let the Sun Shine In! Open Government! The People's Governnor. "I won't take money from anyone!" Go Arnold!

[laaxe]

Almost ironic that I'm one of the set builders/special effects techs in Hollywood who helps actors like Arnold look good, and attain the fame they have.
Unfortunately, my family and I are 30 days away from losing our home due in great part to Arnold's buddies (reportedly Million-dollar contributors to Arnold's own "Oaks" company), Zurich American Insurance (46 Billion strong in "loss reserves"), who have wrongfully delayed/denied all benefits since my well-documented work-injury on July 6th, 2005, in spite of ("new condition" MRI reports, witnesses, 3 ortho opinions, etc.), including a since needed spinal fusion for paralysis in right leg.
A W.C. judge agreed the case as trial worthy in July, but (unable to make a common sense decision from a "Hearing"), could only schedule a "trial date" in mid-October, 30 days after the 90 day foreclosure ends. Thanks, Arnold!