WASHINGTON – A U.S. Senate committee voted unanimously on Thursday to take steps to carry Steward Well being Care CEO Ralph de la Torre in civil and felony contempt for defying a Congressional subpoena.
The committee is investigating the bankrupt firm that has struggled to promote greater than three dozen hospitals that it owns in eight states. Final month, Steward closed two Massachusetts hospitals after it mentioned it couldn’t discover certified bidders for the services.
The is the primary time the Senate Well being, Training, Labor and Pensions Committee has ever advisable contempt motion towards a witness. The resolutions to carry de la Torre in contempt handed 20-0 and can now go earlier than the total Senate for consideration. If held in contempt, de la Torre might face fines or jail time for failing to testify.
Steward Well being Care CEO Ralph de la Torre refused to testify
De la Torre didn’t present as much as testify to a Sept. 12 listening to the place he was subpoenaed to testify.
“For months, this committee has invited Dr. de la Torre to testify in regards to the monetary mismanagement and what occurred at Steward Well being Care,” Committee chairman Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont mentioned. “Time after time he has arrogantly refused to look.”
Attorneys for de la Torre despatched a letter to the Senate committee Wednesday, saying that he was invoking his Fifth Modification proper to not testify. He has denied any wrongdoing and a spokesperson mentioned the hearings must be postponed till Steward is completed with chapter proceedings.
Michael Nagle/Bloomberg by way of Getty Photographs
“The U.S. Structure affords Dr. de la Torre inalienable rights towards being compelled by the federal government to supply sworn testimony that’s particularly (but baselessly) sought to border Dr. de la Torre as a felony scapegoat for the systemic failures in Massachusetts’ well being care system,” the letter mentioned.
CBS Information beforehand reported on how de la Torre and personal fairness traders have extracted a whole bunch of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} from Steward’s hospitals whereas well being care employees and sufferers have struggled to get life-saving provides. He acquired a 190-foot yacht in 2021 estimated to be value about $40 million whereas Steward homeowners paid themselves hundreds of thousands in dividends.
A federal grand jury in Boston is wanting on the pay, spending and journey of de la Torre and different prime firm executives, a private acquainted with the matter instructed CBS Information.
“In the present day we’re making clear to Dr. de la Torre and the opposite CEOs, personal fairness traders and company executives who deal with the well being care system like their very own private piggy financial institution that your hundreds of thousands don’t defend you from accountability to a authorized order issued by the US Senate,” Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts mentioned.
