CEO: Spitzer Looking at Industry Business Practices, Not Crawford & Co.'s Integrity

By Dave Kaiser
December 23, 2004

New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer subpoenaed Atlanta-based Crawford & Co. as part of an ongoing investigation about how the insurance industry does business, not because there is any issue with Crawford & Co.'s integrity, Thomas W. Crawford, chief executive officer told Insurance Journal Thursday.

"That's good news," Crawford said. "We plan to provide the New York attorney general with any and all information he requests."

Spitzer subpoenaed Crawford & Co. Dec. 10 and according to Crawford, his lawyers have done all the talking with the attorney general's office.

"I don't have any problem at with such an investigation," Crawford said. "We are going to cooperate 100 percent and I am not in any way afraid to show anyone how we do business."

Crawford suggested that if someone does business to the best of their ability, and the right way, they won't hesitate to cooperate.

"We deal with our clients with integrity and plan do the same thing with the attorney general," Crawford said.

Crawford & Co. is one of the world's largest independent insurance claims adjusters (NYSE: CRDA and CRDB). It has a global network of more than 700 offices in 67 countries. Crawford & Co.'s major service lines include workers' compensation claims administration and health care management services; property and casualty claims management; class action services; and risk management information services.