Craig Johnson, chief executive officer of Florida-based FCCI Insurance Group, has been terminated and removed as an officer and board member of the company following an incident with police in a Sarasota restaurant.
The termination came two days after the company said Johnson would be placed on a leave of absence “to avoid a distraction for the company” while dealing with allegations linked to his arrest of May 7.
However, after further investigation of the incident, the board decided to terminate Johnson.
In the company’s own words from its May 12 announcement, the termination “follows a recent personal incident unrelated to the company in which the board determined that Mr. Johnson’s conduct did not meet the company’s standards.”
Two days earlier, the board of directors said in a statement that it “takes the recent allegations brought against Mr. Craig Johnson very seriously” and “retained independent professional advisors to review and monitor the situation.”
Police records show Johnson was booked on May 7 on charges of failing to leave the restaurant after the owner ordered him to leave, resisting arrest without violence, and for two charges of battery on an officer.
The Business Observer reported about the arrest on Friday.
Johnson’s defense attorney, Derek Byrd, issued the following statement to the media following initial reports of the termination:
“Mr. Johnson is a pillar in our community. I would ask all to not rush to judgment and allow all the facts, not just one side, to come out in the due course of his case. Mr. Johnson has great respect for law enforcement and vehemently denies striking an officer.”
Contacted today by Insurance Journal, the attorney declined to make any additional comment at this time.
The insurance company appointed Christopher S. Shoucair, executive vice president and chief financial officer, to the role of interim CEO and president.
Johnson became president and CEO in 2011. He first joined FCCI as vice president and controller in 2003.
FCCI provides commercial property/casualty insurance in 19 states and Washington D.C. It is headquartered in Sarasota, with regional and branch offices in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi, Texas and Virginia.
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