An affidavit from a Federal Bureau of Investigations agent states there is probable cause to believe California state Sen. Ronald Calderon accepted bribes from the head of the former Pacific Hospital of Long Beach (Calif.) in exchange for supporting legislation that would limit workers compensation benefits for spine surgeons and other providers.
The sealed affidavit, originally found and published by Al Jazeera America, alleges the senator accepted $28,000 in bribes from Michael D. Drobot, CEO of Pacific Hospital, disguised as payments to his son, Zachary Calderon. The affidavit also claims the senator collected part of the monthly $10,000 in consultant's fees paid by the hospital to Sen. Calderon's brother as additional bribes from the hospital. The workers compensation legislation Sen. Calderon worked against in return would have had a negative financial impact on Pacific Hospital, according to the affidavit.
Pacific Hospital was investigated earlier this year for alleged kickbacks and improper payments stemming from an implant distributorship. Earlier this month, Santa Fe Springs, Calif.-based College Health Enterprises purchased the hospital, now known as College Hospital of Long Beach.
Sen. Calderon's attorney, Mark Geragos, has asserted the claims to be untrue. "The only illegal act that is being committed is either by the government or by Al Jazeera," Mr. Geragos told the Los Angeles Times. "The only illegal act I see is committed either by somebody who released a sealed affidavit or somebody who claims they got a sealed affidavit. Releasing a sealed affidavit is a federal crime."
Sen. Calderon has not been formally charged, according to theTimes.
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