Lexington, Ky.-based Saint Joseph Hospital's former executive director of facilities, James Newton, was sentenced Friday to 27 months in prison for his role in a bribery and kickback scheme, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Mr. Newton was indicted in July and pleaded guilty in September to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. From April 2009 through October 2012, he arranged for Rocky Williams, a contractor, to receive general contracting work at Saint Joseph Hospital in exchange for at least $532,660 in bribes and kickbacks, according to the report.
Mr. Newton submitted invoices for Mr. Williams' general contracting work to Saint Joseph Hospital and its parent company, Englewood, Colo.-based based Catholic Health Initiatives.
In court on Friday, Mr. Newton apologized to the hospital and CHI for his actions. "I have no one to fault but myself," he said, according to the report.
In addition to the prison term, Mr. Newton and Mr. Williams are jointly responsible for paying $532,660 in restitution. Mr. Williams pleaded guilty in December to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced March 23.
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