SVMH hires lobbyist to attack audit request
May 10th, 2011
SVMH board chairman Jim Gattis says health care district welcomes scrutiny
Written by Jeff Mitchell
Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System officials have hired a veteran Sacramento lobbyist in reaction to a proposal to conduct a financial audit of the hospital.
Sparked by state Assemblyman Luis Alejo’s call for the health care system to undergo a comprehensive financial examination by state auditors, SVMH officials confirmed that they have hired veteran lobbyist Paul Gladfelty of Gladfelty Government Relations for a fee $25,000, according to a letter of engagement, a copy of which was obtained from SVMH by The Californian late Monday.
On April 25, Alejo, a Salinas Democrat, called for the audit in the wake of disclosures by SVMH that retired chief executive Sam Downing received a whopping $3.9 million in special retirement payments.
Alejo’s request is scheduled to be considered Wednesday during a hearing before the state Joint Legislative Audit Committee.