Four top executives resign at UMMS amid controversy over board member contracts (Pugh)

Baltimore Sun ^ | 6/06/19 | Luke Broadwater, Kevin Rector

[Libloather]

Four top executives at the University of Maryland Medical System have resigned amid investigations into accusations of self-dealing among the hospital network’s board members, the system announced Thursday.

Those resigning are Megan Arthur, the system’s primary lawyer; Jerry Wollman, the chief administrative officer; Christine Bachrach, the system’s chief compliance officer; and Keith Persinger, the chief performance improvement officer.

**SNIP**

The resignations come as Nygren Consulting of Santa Barbara, Calif., works to finish its examination of deals worth millions of dollars that led UMMS CEO Robert Chrencik and Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh to resign from their jobs.

The consulting firm was hired in April by the UMMS board of directors to document, review and determine “the legality” of the contracts awarded to board members, including the $500,000 UMMS paid Pugh for 100,000 of her self-published “Healthy Holly” books. The system’s payments to Pugh are the subject of criminal investigations by the FBI and Maryland state prosecutor.

[Libloather]

Wollman was senior vice president and chief administrative officer at UMMS. In March, Pugh released a 2011 letter written by Wollman to Baltimore City Public Schools, asking for confirmation that the schools would accept a shipment of Pugh’s Healthy Holly books, which UMMS had bought. Wollman was paid about about $650,000 last year.

Bribery and pay-to-play can get ugly.

[PrincessB]

I have not seen a “Healthy Holly” book, however I have an idea about what it is.. I have an acquaintance who self-publishes in the private label children’s publishing world and produces works for hospitals, the local foster care system, and a restaurant group.. There is never a one time order for 100k books. None of her books cost $5 per unit.

[bob_esb]

What is incredible is how ex-politicos jump to very senior positions in these quasi public/private orgs

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Persinger was senior vice president and chief performance improvement officer at UMMS. He has been with the system since 1993. He previously served as executive vice president, chief financial officer and chief operating officer of the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Persinger was paid more than $1 million in the year ending June 2018, according to the system’s tax filings.

Wasserman, who was close to Pugh and worked on her campaign and transition team, is a longtime political operative in Maryland who got his start working under former Baltimore Mayor William Donald Schaefer. He made nearly $510,000 last year.

[hal ogen]

maryland is THE Freak state. The state is like a seething cesspool full of slimy snakes (LIBs) who control the state. Corruption is the coin of the realm. Few are ever called to account. Criminals abound...especially in politics. It is truly hopeless there. Leave while they still allow you to do so.

[Mouton]

Just a line in the patchwork of crooks in Md. Ironic that Pelousy is the daughter of a former Mayor of Baltimore!

[BobL]

Let third world types run things, get third world type results.

[centurion316]

This kind of corruption is common among third world dictatorships and in Democrat controlled states of this country. When people like this get in power, the result is inevitable.

[Starboard]

Right on all accounts.