A grand jury has decided not to indict a former Chalmette, La.-based St. Bernard Parish Hospital administrator on criminal charges of violating the state's constitution by spending nearly $100,000 in public money on events and gifts for hospital employees, according to The Times-Picayunne.
While the grand jury did not indict former hospital administrator Wane Landry, the panel stated the hospital had been mismanaged since opening in 2012, according to the article. The grand jury also recommended the hospital board permanently hire someone to manage the medical center. In September, the hospital hired senior leaders from New Orleans-based Ochsner Health System for a 90-day period.
The decision comes weeks after a state legislative auditor's office report found the hospital may have violated the state constitution by spending the funds on hospital employees. The report stated more than $16,000 was spent on meals at steakhouses.
The district attorney's office similarly found the hospital in possible violation of the state constitution in September.
Mr. Landry reportedly told auditors the meals "were purchased to encourage the physicians to do more business at the hospital or to keep them practicing at the hospital," according to the article.