FLA. CARRIER’S MINN. DONATIONS UNDER INVESTIGATION:

The efforts of Miami-based American Bankers Insurance Group to affect the outcome of Minnesota’s 2002 elections is being investigated in two different counties in the state, according to the Associated Press. American Bankers, now part of the Assurant Group, which in turn is a subsidiary of Fortis, is part of an investigation for its financial contributions to the campaign of Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Under Minnesota law, companies are barred from making or offering to make donations to help elect or defeat a particular candidate. The question is being investigated in Mower County. A grand jury there indicted state GOP Chairman Rob Eibensteiner, executives Henry Bassett Jr. and Jerome Atkinson in October, and was investigating $15,000 in donations to Pawlenty’s campaign offered by American Bankers. A report by Special Counsel E. Thomas Sullivan calls for a broader investigation covering attempts by the carrier to aid two Democrats, gubernatorial challenger Roger Moe and Attorney General Mike Hatch. Now the matter has been referred to Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner, who said she and her staff are attempting to determine if it falls within the county’s jurisdiction.