Florida House Economic Development Policy Committee Chairwoman Jennifer Carroll, R-Fleming Island, sent a letter Tuesday to Gov. Charlie Crist calling for an investigation into $20 million his office awarded to Wyndcrest Holdings, the parent company of Digital Domain that is attempting to open an animated movie production studio in Port St. Lucie.

“Governor, with the down turn in Florida’s economy where many businesses are in dire straits for financial assistance to keep businesses open and retain jobs in Florida, this state cannot be perceived as giving money for new business start ups,” Carrol writes in this letter. “It is very concerning for one company vice others to acquire public funds to open a new business.”

The questions Carroll wants answered and more background after the jump.

Wyndcrest CEO John Textor has insisted his proposal was properly vetted and that the project will be more of a spin-off of an established company and not a risky start-up.

In this press release, one of two released Tuesday, he attempts to assuage concerns about a “start-up” by showing the Port St. Lucie project will be an extension of Digital Domain. But Textor has also acknowledged the Florida studio will concentrate on producing movies and video games, a relatively new venture for the company. Digital Domain’s history has been almost exclusively video effects.

Also Tuesday, Textor released this statement, insisting that his project received a “thorough due diligence.”

“Every aspect of our business and our plans were heavily vetted by multiple independently functioning layers of our state government over a long and arduous process,” he said.

For some background, here are our stories related to the project.

10/11: Secret legislative move leads to quick $20 million for project in St. Lucie

10/14: Crist ‘regretted’ secrecy, notified legislative leaders in May of economic incentives to businesses

Meanwhile, here are the questions Carroll wants Crist and his Office of Tourism, Trade & Economic Development to answer.

1. How did a single entity get approval of public dollars from OTTED to open a startup company?

2. What application process did OTTED use to approve Mr. Textor’s request?

3. Was Mr. Textor’s business history background thoroughly researched, was his prior business practices and financial history properly vetted?

4. What recourse is in place to recoup public dollars or fine Mr. Textor if bait and switch practices or if deceptive practices were used to obtain these funds?

5. Was a consideration made by OTTED to use these funds to support several companies in Florida to expand their business vice distributing it to only one company?

Tags: Charlie Crist, Digital Domain, Jennifer Carroll, John Textor

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