Independent check clears Florida tourism agency in e-mail hoax

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA - The state&#39;s tourism marketing agency said Saturday an independent review has confirmed that an e-mail calling the governors of South Carolina and Georgia racists did not originate from its offices. <br> <br> Visit Florida officials are trying to find the source of the message, which purports to start a ``whisper campaign&#39;&#39; against those states to boost tourism in Florida. <br> <br> The e-mail sent Tuesday claims to bear a message from Kim Howes, public relations director for Visit Florida, laying out a strategy to lure tourists away from South Carolina and Georgia. It asks recipients to mention, when speaking to the media or tour groups, that Florida ``does not have a racist flag nor a racist Governor.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Visit Florida officials asked Tallahassee-based Network Technology Solutions LLC to examine its corporate e-mail system, and Howes&#39; computers and personal e-mail account. <br> <br> Visit Florida CEO Bud Nocera said the review confirmed that the message did not come from Howes or any employee of Visit Florida and also found the original e-mail was not received by any staff member. An internal review had cleared the agency of any connection to the e-mail. <br> <br> Nocera said the agency is now considering various options for expanding the investigation of the case.