The Alberta authorities says it has employed Raymond Wyant, the previous chief choose of the provincial court docket of Manitoba, to because the third-party investigator to look into allegations of corruption and irregularities in authorities well being procurement contracts.
The scandal stems from a lawsuit from the former CEO of Alberta Health Services, who was let go in early January.
It alleges high-level authorities officers interfered to safe overpriced offers for personal well being contractors.
Alberta’s auditor normal, Doug Wylie, can also be wanting into contracting and procurement on the authority and Well being ministry.
A wrongful dismissal lawsuit filed earlier this month by Athana Mentzelopoulos says issues about procurement practices led her to provoke an inner investigation and a forensic audit at AHS final fall. The doc says she was fired Jan. 8 earlier than the audit was accomplished.
The allegations haven’t been examined in court docket. Well being Minister Adriana LaGrange, who is called within the lawsuit, has stated she is going to “vigorously” struggle the declare and shortly file an announcement of defence.
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Smith has denied any wrongdoing.
The province stated Wyant has been given a funds of $500,000, which can be utilized to retain authorized and audit help at his discretion.
He’s being paid $31,900 monthly, which the province stated is similar remuneration price because the Chief Justice of the Alberta Courtroom of Justice.
— It is a breaking information story. Extra to return…
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