Broke hospital investigated over management practices

Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in New York suddenly replaced its CEO last week, adding one more reason for the Brooklyn district attorney's office to investigate the management practices at the failing hospital, reports The New York Times.

In addition to examining whether hospital officials received payments from a Caribbean medical school, investigators also are looking into whether the former chief executive inappropriately received hospital reimbursements for lavish personal expenses.

According to hospital trustees, ex-CEO Rajiv Garg's reimbursed expenses included a first-class plane ticket to London and a holiday party he hosted at a trendy restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, notes the article.

The district attorney's office has subpoenaed payroll documents and contracts, but it has yet to declare whether it suspected criminal behavior or if officials had broken hospital rules.

Garg's attorney denied any wrongdoing on his client's part and said he knew nothing about reimbursements, according to the Times. He also said Garg had disclosed his financial interest in Spartan Health Sciences University in St. Lucia to the trustees.

Last November, a New York panel appointed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo recommended Brooklyn Hospital Center take control of both Wyckoff Heights Hospital and Interfaith Medical Center, as FierceHealthcare previously reported. Together, Interfaith, Brookdale and Wyckoff have a long-term debt of $276 million.

To learn more:
- read the New York Times article