Top financial regulator suspended

TALLAHASSEE — Ronald Rubin, recently hired as the state’s top financial regulator by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet, has been placed on administrative leave amid an investigation into alleged inappropriate behavior toward an employee.

State Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, a member of the Cabinet, announced the move late Friday and released a sexualharassment complaint. Rubin, commissioner of the Office of Financial Regulation, was selected in late February for the $166,000-a-year job.

The complaint released includes significant redactions and does not give the name, job title or even gender of the employee. But it indicates the alleged incident involved a relatively new hire.

According to the complaint, Rubin and the employee were walking to lunch at Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille near the Capitol. On the way Rubin suggested they first visit his condo to see recent renovations.

Inside, Rubin told the employee to remove shoes so as not to track dust inside. Rubin also removed his shoes before they viewed the condo. The employee described this as an “uncomfortable situation” in the complaint.

During lunch, Rubin inquired about the employee’s parents and Rubin talked about his own siblings, including a sister who recently got married and had a son.

“The commissioner also told me that they had supposedly only had sex twice while they were married,” the employee recounted, according to the complaint. “He then told me he was talking to his parents at one point and his dad made the comment that him and his mother were very fertile.”

Before heading back to the office, they returned to Rubin’s condo so he could talk to some painters.

The next day, Rubin invited the employee to a conference Washington, which was declined. Rubin then offered the keys to his apartment in Washington “if you ever get the chance to go up there,” the complaint said. The employee started to avoid Rubin and was moved to a different job after inquiring if there were positions available, as the situation was “awkward” and “uncomfortable.”

Attorney General Ashley Moody on Monday suggested an emergency Cabinet meeting may be needed.

“Every person deserves to feel safe and respected in their work environment,” Patronis said in a prepared statement. “That standard is non-negotiable.”

Abigail Vail, chief of staff to Rubin, is leading the dayto-day business of the office in his absence.

Jamie Mongiovi, a spokeswoman for the Office of Financial Regulation, said the office isn’t commenting at this time. in Rubin didn’t reply to for comment.

Peter Penrod, general counsel of the Florida Department of Financial Services, recommended the suspension of all workrelated activities for Rubin “until such time that the Cabinet has an opportunity to formally review this matter and take such action deemed necessary and appropriate.”

Patronis, who runs the Department of Financial Services, said he directed his inspector general to begin a preliminary investigation and said he intends to get additional input from the other members of the Cabinet.

Moody, who is waiting for the inspector general’s findings, also described the allegations as “deeply troubling.”

“If they are true, the Cabinet should strongly consider the termination of Commissioner Rubin,” Moody said in a statement. “This should be addressed at an emergency Cabinet meeting in full compliance with Florida’s Sunshine Laws.” requests