Insurer GC Agrees to Reprimand for Claim of ‘Paid Off’ Judges
The general counsel for United Automobile Insurance has agreed to a public reprimand for telling a journalist that Miami-area judges are being “paid off” by plaintiffs lawyers.
As part of the discipline, general counsel Charles Grimsley agreed to write a letter of apology for his comments to the Daily Business Review, the publication reports in a story reprinted by New York Lawyer. Grimsley also admitted a 2006 drunken driving arrest and agreed to be evaluated by a physician who specializes in substance and alcohol abuse, the story says.
In the letter to the Dailiy Business Review, Grimsley acknowledges the comment but said he immediately asked to retract it. The publication says it differs with the claim of a retraction request.
United Automobile CEO Richard Parillo Sr. said in a statement that the company regrets the incident but said Florida law allows abuse in insurance claims. “His frustration with a legislative system widely known to condone abuse unfortunately caused him to express thoughts and ideas that were misdirected,” Parillo said.
