A former bishop diverted money from Wheeling (W.Va.) Hospital to charitable organizations to spend at his discretion, which included giving a cardinal at the Vatican a $29,000 gift to redecorate his apartment, according to The Washington Post.
Here are five things to know about the story:
1. Former Bishop Michael Bransfield, who was also chairman of board for the religious-affiliated hospital, created the Bishop's Fund charity in December 2014 after facing criticism for extravagant spending, according to the report.
2. Tax filings indicate the Bishop's Fund was created to benefit the hospital and the community in West Virginia. Investigators believe Mr. Bransfield created it to spend hospital money at his discretion.
3. Wheeling Hospital was the sole source of funding — $21 million was transferred from the hospital to the Bishop's Fund.
4. Mr. Bransfield used the Bishop's Fund to give Wheeling Jesuit University $12.6 million, spent $400,000 on a custom-made Italian altar, and gave funds to a high school for a new air conditioning system, according to the report. However, he also donated to out-of-state causes, including the $29,000 gift to Cardinal Kevin Farrell. Gifts and spending outside of the state required Mr. Bransfield to transfer money to the diocese and then to his personal account.
5. The scandal could add a wrinkle to an alleged Medicare fraud case at the hospital. Mr. Bransfield hired and decided the pay of former hospital CEO Ronald Violi, who currently faces a false claims lawsuit. A Justice Department filing in the case alleges Mr. Violi's pay increased at the same time the hospital was transferring money to the Bishop's Fund, according to the report. Mr. Violi and the hospital have denied the allegations in the lawsuit.
Read the full story here.
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