Whistleblower lawsuits filed separately by Broward Health’s deposed CEO and chairman are adding fresh details about the corruption scandal that’s engulfed the taxpayer-backed hospital system.
The latest case, filed in Broward Circuit Court Dec. 8, accuses Broward Health, through General Counsel Lynn Barrett, of firing former CEO Pauline Grant on Dec. 1, 2016 “in retaliation for actions she took in an attempt to investigate and remedy misfeasance and malfeasance within the public agency.”
News of Grant’s lawsuit follows last week’s sweeping indictment of four current and former Broward Heath commissioners and its general counsel for violations of Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine Law. The charges are second-degree misdemeanors, and the accused are to be arraigned together on Jan. 22.
Gov. Rick Scott has the authority to remove each of the accused, but has so far chosen not to do so. Unless removed, the five are scheduled to appear Wednesday at 4 p.m. for a regular board meeting at Broward Health’s headquarters at Spectrum Office Park, 1700 NW 49th St. Unit 150, Fort Lauderdale.
