Late Claims by Quake Victims

Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush attempts to take credit for issuance of a bulletin finding that insurance companies have been illegally denying payment of Northridge earthquake claims (“Late Claims by Victims of Quake Get Support,” April 28). This bulletin was drafted in early 1996. It was then circulated to the insurance industry--but not to consumer groups--for comment. The industry representatives vehemently opposed the opinions stated in the draft. The bulletin had been sitting on Quackenbush’s desk since August 1996.

After consumer advocates notified the press and legislators of the existence and contents of the bulletin at a special legislative Department of Insurance Oversight hearing in mid-March, prestissimo: Quackenbush acts. Like a chameleon, Quackenbush changes color when his actions are publicly exposed to the light of the day.

This episode only reinforces the need for the public and the press to keep the spotlight on an official who has received over $6 million in campaign contributions from the industry he is supposed to regulate and who is otherwise content to stay in the dark, working with special interests to delay justice for consumers as long as possible.

GINA CALABRESE

Senior Counsel

Proposition 103 Enforcement

Project, Santa Monica