Home FloridaBulldog.org Broward Grand Jury Hears First Witnesses In Criminal Probe Of Broward Health

Broward Grand Jury Hears First Witnesses In Criminal Probe Of Broward Health

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Former Broward Health General Counsel Sam Goren entering the grand jury room on Wednesday. Photo: Florida Bulldog

A Broward grand jury began hearing testimony Wednesday about alleged criminal conduct at long-troubled Broward Health, the taxpayer-supported public medical system for the northern two-thirds of the county.

A panel of 18 grand jurors were on hand to examine potential criminal violations of Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine Law and state ethics laws by the seven-member commission appointed by Gov. Rick Scott that runs the health-care agency.

The grand jury may also take a broader look at Broward Health, which has been buffeted by allegations of mismanagement and insider dealing for years. Grand jurors have the power to recommend changes in the system’s governance and have done so with various governments in the past.

“I decided our office should focus on possible Sunshine Law violations and related matters that had come to our attention,” said Broward State Attorney Michael Satz.

Office spokesman Ron Ishoy indicated that grand jury testimony would reach into many areas of the public health-care system.

By Dan Christensen, and Buddy Nevins, FloridaBulldog.org, Special to SouthFloridaReporter.com, Sept. 29, 2017