Kern County Hospital Authority Accused of Overpaying for Executive Services

Abstract

No abstract available. Article truncated after 150 words. Becker’s Hospital Review is reporting that the Bakersfield, CA-based Kern County Hospital Authority, is accused by the local employee union of overpaying two private firms that provide its top executives (1). The union alleges that Cantu Management Group and Meridian Healthcare Partners - both based in Bakersfield - have exceeded contractual amounts by 40 percent to 147 percent, leading to $23 million in overpayments over the past four years. Andrew Cantu of Cantu Management Group is also the CFO of Kern County Hospital Authority and its management representative for independent audits. Russell Judd served as the hospital's CEO until December 2021, and remains president and owner of Meridian Healthcare Partners. A 9-page report alleges the hospital failed to disclose management compensation accurately, to properly correct the issue when notified, and attempted to conceal the overpayments. The union claims to have repeatedly brought questions about the hospital's financial management to the …

Keywords

• kern county hospital
• kern county hospital authority
• executive compensation
• local union
• overpayment
• seiu local 521
• andrew cantu
• russell judd
• $23 million
• concealment