Crist responds to Fla. rail holocaust protest

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Gov. Charlie Crist has directed state transportation secretary to check for Holocaust involvement by companies bidding for Florida’s high-speed rail contract.

Crist’s action Friday was in response to objections that have been raised against a bid by the French national railway because of its role in transporting Jews to Nazi death camps during World War II.

The governor said he wants to make sure all participants in the bidding comply with state and federal laws.

About 30 companies are hoping to bid on the Orlando-Tampa rail line. They include SNCF, which stands for Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer Francais.

The company says it had no control over operations when France was under Nazi occupation.