U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) is "taking aim" at German-based insurance company Allianz for sponsoring a Champions Tour event in Boca Raton, Fla., "because it has refused to pay billions in life insurance claims to Holocaust survivors," according to Jay Weaver of the MIAMI HERALD. Ros-Lehtinen last week "chided PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem, writing that 'doing business with Allianz effectively pardons their shameful behavior and ties your organization to their appalling treatment of Holocaust survivors.'" PGA Tour officials said that they are "aware of the controversy but they will keep Allianz as a sponsor." They added that the event "donates profits to local charities." Weaver notes Ros-Lehtinen's letter-writing campaign is "designed to shame Allianz and those who associate with" the company. Additionally, a South Florida group of Holocaust survivors "plans to hold a protest Thursday at Boca Raton City Hall to call attention to Mayor Susan Welchel’s support of the Allianz Championship at Broken Sound Club in Boca Raton." The Holocaust Survivors’ Foundation-USA also "plans an even bigger protest" of the event Monday (MIAMI HERALD, 2/2).
