In a court filing Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) claimed the board of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Broward Health obstructed a state investigation and intimidated potential witnesses, according to a report in the Sun Sentinel.
The filing was made ahead of a Friday hearing in the Broward Circuit Court, according to the report. Here are five things to know about Gov. Scott's claims and the board's response.
1. The claim was filed to defend the governor's decision to suspend Broward Health Chairman David Di Pietro and board audit committee Chairman Darryl Wright, according to the report. The governor claims he made this decision not because of individual misconduct, but because Mr. Di Pietro and Mr. Wright represent the board, which as a whole impeded a state investigation and intimidated witnesses, according to the report.
2. The investigation, led by Florida Chief Inspector General Melinda Miguel, examines allegations that the board improperly influenced health system operations. This includes coercing staff into contracts with specific companies, according to the report.
3. Specifically, Gov. Scott claims two main actions by the board undermined the investigation. First, the board hired a private law firm. Gov. Scott opposed the presence of lawyers in witness interviews with the inspector general due to potential intimidation, according the report. Second, not long after interim CEO Kevin Fusco assured employees they could talk to the inspector general without notifying the health system, he was removed by the board, according to the report. Gov. Scott felt this removal sent a strong message to employees.
4. However, Mr. Di Pietro's version of events paints a different picture. Mr. Di Pietro denies that he has intimidated potential witnesses and claims he has been cooperating with the investigation, according to the report. He also noted it is not an investigation, it is a review, and the board has not taken an adversarial approach.
5. Mr. Di Pietro claims Mr. Fusco was not removed for telling employees they could speak to the inspector general without fear of retaliation, as Gov. Scott alleged. He claims that argument is not logical because Mr. Fusco forwarded that message from Mr. Di Pietro. Instead, he claims it was a combination of low morale and employee complaints that led to Mr. Fusco's removal.
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