Florida Cabinet Members Worth Millions
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) - There's an old saying that it's good to be the king. It turns out it's also good to be a member of the Florida Cabinet, at least fiscally speaking.
Cabinet members --- Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam --- are now collectively worth $9,756,748, up a little more than $900,000 from a year earlier, according to newly filed financial-disclosure reports.
Putnam, whose wealth is tied to the family owned Putnam Groves, continues to be the fiscal pacesetter, with his net worth up to $7.2 million, an increase from $6.49 million in 2011. His net worth had dipped from $6.8 million in 2010, when he was elected commissioner.
Collectively, the trio was worth $8,846,996 a year ago.
Putnam's 20 percent share of Putnam Groves accounted for $2.8 million, while the majority of his assets are tied in a wide range of investments in Vanguard funds.
His Bartow home was valued at $174,000, while a residence in Tallahassee was appraised at $260,000. He also owns portions of homes in Little Gasparilla Island, Lake Wales and Babson Park.
The former U.S. congressman earned $123,912 in the state job last year.
Atwater reported a net worth of $1,743,229 in 2012, up from $1.6 million when he ran for the statewide office in 2010.
As with Putnam, the increase shows up in part through a rise in the stock market. A Northern Trust IRA account --- which includes investments in AT&T, Conoco Phillips, Johnson & Johnson, Lockheed Martin, Pepsico, Phillips 66 and Proctor & Gamble stock and more than $16,000 in gold --- is valued at $1.076 million.
Atwater's North Palm Beach home is valued at $295,000. A banker and former Senate president, Atwater earned $118,517 as CFO.
Bondi's worth has jumped from $472,696 in 2010, while a candidate for state office, to $780,871 and included a $107,000 increase from a year ago.
Unlike in 2010 when she listed no income, she reported earning $128,499 in the state position last year.
Bondi also maintains the most expensive home among the Cabinet, with her Tampa area residence appraised at $665,000. The property was valued at $635,400 in 2010.
She also reported owing the Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union just over $301,000, down from $311,000 a year earlier.
Putnam listed owing $118,704 to Bank of America. Atwater's liabilities totaled $70,839, owed to Bank of America Mortgage, Bank of America and Chase Financial.
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