Auditor General Remains ‘Very Concerned’
Auditor General Heather Jacobs Matthews [pictured] responded to the BHB’s statement, saying she “takes exception to the Chairman’s comment and remains very concerned that a significant, unsubstantiated financial transaction was admittedly concealed in BHB’s financial statements…”
Last month the Bermuda Hospitals Board [BHB] said that former Chief Financial Officer Delia Basden — who was placed on administrative leave in February 2013 — resigned with effect from 1st May, 2014.
The BHB said they are “entirely satisfied that Ms. Basden acted properly, appropriately and with all professional integrity”.
A statement issued by the Auditor General’s office said, “In that statement, the Chairman provided an update on the Chief Financial Officer [CFO] position noting that the CFO had been placed “on administrative leave, as recommended by the Auditor General, while a review by the Department of Internal Audit was carried out.”
“The Chairman further commented that, “following the findings of the review and exhaustive subsequent investigations, BHB is entirely satisfied that the CFO acted properly, appropriately and with all professional integrity.”
“The Auditor General takes exception to the Chairman’s comment and remains very concerned that a significant, unsubstantiated financial transaction was admittedly concealed in BHB’s financial statements “because we did not want it visible to the public.”
“The Auditor General confirmed that this irregularity was the basis on which she commissioned an internal audit in February 2013 to conduct a review of the operations of BHB and its subsidiary Healthcare Partners Limited and, in addition, recommended that the CFO be placed on administrative leave.
“The Auditor General noted that the purpose of the internal audit review was to obtain reasonable assurance that BHB’s management control systems were adequate and operating effectively.
“The Auditor General further maintains that the Chairman’s comment is not consistent with the findings and shortcomings identified by the internal audit review nor the action plan that was agreed by the Board’s management to address those findings and shortcomings.
“The Auditor General notes that the final report issued by the Department of Internal Audit in August 2013 highlights BHB’s “weak control environment and inadequate corporate governance framework which contributed to a lack of proper management oversight, reduced accountability and the inability of the Board to effectively fulfill its mandate.”
“A synopsis of matters arising from the internal audit review will be reported in the Auditor General’s annual report.”
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What I would like to know is, if there is a significant financial transaction, that has ADMITTEDLY been concealed! why isn’t anyone being held accountable??? There is something that smells very fishy and we the general public deserve answers and justice!!!!!
Ask Zane where the money went!
No ask Craig where the money went! Never mind forget that thought he’s not in charge of the OBA. He’s to busy flying out having fun on tax payers $$$$MONEY$$$$.
Well someone of in the OBA needs to tell the general public what’s up with this story because right now neither PLP or OBA are saying nothing!!!!!!!!
An internal investigation is not good enough. it always boils down to “he said” “she said” are the Police involved? how much money are we talking about? who has the authority to just write these funds off?
This REEKS of cover-up.
Bring on Ayo Johnson…que Marc Bean wiff his faux outrage……not likely to happen since it does not involve the OBA
Something smells funny at the top . . .
You’d think the PLP would be all over this ‘story’ like a bad rash…. in stead…. I hear tree frogs.
Interesting that Ayo spent 8 months on the non existant issue of Jetgate rather than investigating the issues surrounding the CFO of both the BHB and the Dept of Finance being put on Administrative leave for over a year only to then “resign”.
Typical PLP MO right here and the supporters say ……….nothing
LOL yet the OBA are corrupt
Healthcare Partners Limited…?????
and who are the principals in this entity?
Exactly.
One guess……………………
LOL
Crickets…where’s the outrage…I guess it all depends on who’s watch it was on…more crickets…HYPOCRITES!!
A.J. and confidential sources – please step to the front of the line.
Is BHB an entity on Bsx?…..Do they have shareholders?….If not…why not?Who has oversight,board meeting should have oversight and shareholders….
“Healthcare Partners Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bermuda Hospitals Board and was incorporated on September 24, 2008. BHB is the sole shareholder of HPL. The original purpose of HPL was to enable the Bermuda Hospitals Board to develop new services and opportunities for the generation of additional revenue through public private partnerships. HPL was also designed to provide the Bermuda Hospitals Board with the flexibility to provide enhanced medical services to the community” WTH does that all mean? why would a HOSPITAL need a separate company to provide “enhanced medical services”? what is an enhanced medical service and why can’t the hospital provide those?
payola!
Call the Police .
For those that really want to know, this was the Auditor General on a witch hunt and after trusting her advice (the basis for the administrative leave), the BHB had to finally realize that they had nothing on the CFO and had to reinstate her but who would want to hang around in such a toxic environment. Hence her resignation.
Shame on the Auditor General for her unsubstantiated claim. Please Auditor, tell us of the unsubstantiated transaction so the public can see the depth to which you have sunken. Shame on the OBA for allowing a Bermudian to be misplaced for what they thought was going to be political points and shame on the PLP for not raising Cain! And finally shame on the BHB for having such inadequate processes that would allow a senior member of staff to be on leave for next over 12 months. Either she did wrong and should have been dismissed but if no wrong was committed, then a reinstatement should have been more immediate. What a waste!
BHBGate
On what dusty shelf is SAGE REPORT stored ?
This country is in considerable of debt ! it was not always that way.
I often wonder how much of that debt went out in commissions and administration fees ?
You cant tell me that it just vanished in to thin air.
At least we still have the legacy of a poor infrastructure the light house and the Aquarium to be proud of.
Do we need to take their check book away ? and let the Monitory Authority approve expenditure and pay the bills.
“A fool and his money are soon parted”.