News: 2009 Press Release

Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner lauded State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli for his announcement that the New York State Common Retirement Fund plans to divest $86.2 million in investments from a number of companies doing business in Sudan and Iran.

"All levels of government - federal, state and local - should do everything they can to put pressure on state sponsors of terror and the companies that do business with them," said Commissioner Poizner. "New York's action sends a clear message that American dollars must not, in any way, support oppressive regimes sustaining terrorist activities."

Earlier this week, Commissioner Poizner announced an effort to assess whether California-based insurance companies have any investments in the Iranian government or agents of the government of Iran. He also announced plans to require all insurance companies based in California to disclose what, if any, investments they have with companies that do substantial business with the energy, defense and banking sectors of the Iranian economy.