An independent audit has been issued related to previously revealed findings of payroll fraud, theft, illegal distribution of drugs and criminal conspiracy at Jackson Parish Hospital in Jonesboro, La., according to a News Star report.
These findings were first revealed in an investigative audit of the hospital released in April, according to the report.
An investigation was launched into Jackson Parish Hospital after the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations received information regarding possible criminal activity taking place at the hospital.
As a result of the investigation, four former employees of the hospital were arrested and charged with crimes. The recently released audit shows two former hospital employees received a combined $123,157 in payments for accrued leave, supplemental health insurance and uniforms, which they were not entitled to.
One of those former employees, Vickie Booker, who served as an accounts payable clerk at the hospital, admitted taking cash from the hospital's collections and depositing it into her personal bank account or spending it, according to the report.
The hospital is trying to recoup as much as it can from the fraud scheme. Under the supervision of the Jackson Parish Hospital CFO, a temporary accounting employee has been hired to perform a deduction reconciliation project. The hospital is also seeking restitution from the former employees who were involved in the scheme, including those who were not criminally charged.
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