WellCare agrees to pay $120,000 fine for "questionable" campaign contributions

[Political Tiger]

WellCare Health Plans on Wednesday admitted to making 129 "questionable" contributions to Florida politicians over four years ending in 2007.

In a consent order with the Florida Elections Commission, the Tampa-based managed-care company agreed to pay a $120,000 fine and did not contest the commission's finding of probable cause that the contributions violated state law.

The Associated Press reported in February that WellCare, its subsidiaries and executives spent $2.4 million in political contributions in the 2004 and 2006 elections. More than 95 percent went to Republicans, who pushed a plan to send more state and federal Medicaid spending through private companies like WellCare.

The deal announced Wednesday marked the company's latest settlement to resolve investigations into shady business practices. In May, WellCare agreed to pay Florida $40 million in health care reimbursements and pay a $40 million fine in a deal with the U.S. Attorney's Office. Other federal agencies still have open investigations.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/wellcare-agrees-to-pay-120000-fine-for-quotquestionablequot-campaign/1029160