Sun Sentinel by David Fleshler
December 12, 2017
The top leaders of Broward Health have been indicted on charges of violating Florida’s public meetings law, throwing the public hospital system into the worst turmoil of its years of crises and investigations.
A grand jury indictment names Broward Health board chairman Rocky Rodriguez, interim CEO Beverly Capasso, General Counsel Lynn Barrett, board member Christopher Ure and former board member Linda Robison. The charges are second-degree misdemeanors, carrying maximum penalties of a $500 fine and 60 days in jail per count. Summonses were issued Tuesday.
Gov. Rick Scott, who appointed all of the board members, typically suspends public officials who face criminal charges. The governor made no announcement as of Tuesday evening.
Broward Health, which operates five hospitals that serve the northern two-thirds of the county, has been facing investigations and accusations for more than two years, but these are the first indictments to emerge.
The two current and former board members were charged with two counts of violating the state’s public-meetings law. Barrett was charged with solicitation to violate the public-meetings law. All five were charged with conspiracy to violate the public-meetings law. [READ MORE]