An independent auditing firm has found there was no illegal activity at Springfield (Vt.) Hospital, though there were issues related to financial transparency, according to VTDigger.com.
The New Hampshire accounting firm BerryDunn reviewed the hospital's financial records from Oct. 1, 2017 to Dec. 3, 2018 after its board found it was months behind in payroll tax. Though BerryDunn found former CFO Scott Whittemore "made material misstatements" about the severity of the hospital's financial standing, they were not made for Mr. Whittemore's gain. Springfield Hospital's operating loss increased by $2 million from 2017 to 2018, and Vermont loaned the hospital $800,000 in January to keep it from closing.
"The results of the limited and specific procedures we performed did not identify instances we believe to be misappropriation of assets for personal gain by or for the CFO during the period," BerryDunn said in its report.
Mr. Whittemore worked at the hospital for 20 years before being fired Dec. 3 and said he was always transparent about financial issues, which he reportedly warned the board about for two years before his departure.
"Neither the board nor most of the operational managers took any positive action," said Mr. Whittemore.