Alberta RCMP have launched an investigation into Alberta Well being Providers (AHS) and the allegations of political interference and potential conflicts of curiosity inside its procurement practices.
In an announcement Thursday, RCMP confirmed that the preliminary overview of a criticism obtained on Feb. 6 has now moved right into a formal investigation.
“Following a overview, the RCMP has begun an investigation into the matter. As that is an ongoing investigation, no additional particulars can be found right now,” the assertion stated.
On Feb. 12, the former CEO of the provincial well being authority, Athana Mentzelopoulos, filed a $1.7-million wrongful dismissal lawsuit towards AHS and the province.
In her declare, Mentzelopoulos alleged she was fired partially as a result of she’d launched an investigation and forensic audit into varied contracts. She stated she was involved about contract costs with non-public surgical corporations that she stated had hyperlinks to authorities officers.
Mentzelopoulos alleged that she was dismissed days earlier than she scheduled to fulfill with the auditor basic to debate her investigation into Alberta’s procurement contracts and offers for personal surgical services.
Mentzelopoulos’s lawsuit alleged she was “repeatedly topic to interference and stress from varied authorities of Alberta officers” to log out on contracts for brand new chartered surgical services and approve a selected surgical group’s contract extension.
“Athana Mentzelopoulos welcomes information of the RCMP investigation,” her lawyer, Dan Scott, stated in an electronic mail to CBC. “She’s going to after all co-operate with that investigation in addition to the continuing auditor basic’s investigation. In response to questions on whether or not she has been interviewed by the RCMP, she can not remark right now.”
The allegations have already triggered an investigation by Alberta’s auditor basic in addition to a third-party investigation launched by the provincial authorities. The provincial investigation will probably be led by Raymond E. Wyant, a former chief choose of the Provincial Court docket of Manitoba.
Not one of the allegations in Mentzelopoulos’s lawsuit have been examined in court docket.
Statements of defence have but to be filed within the lawsuit. Well being Minister Adriana LaGrange, who is called within the go well with, has stated she intends to file one within the coming weeks.
All through the controversy, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has stated she has seen no proof of wrongdoing at Alberta Well being Providers.
A spokesperson for LaGrange stated in an announcement that the federal government “is unaware of the id of any get together beneath RCMP investigation, however will present the required co-operation to the RCMP ought to the federal government be requested to take action.”
The spokesperson referred additional inquiries to the RCMP, noting it’s an ongoing police investigation.
NDP Chief Naheed Nenshi stated he is glad that the police are investigating.
“These allegations of bloated contracts are extremely severe, and we’re glad to see them being handled as such,” he stated.
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