WINNIPEG – The CEO of Bethania Group has been suspended with pay as more allegations of mismanagement arise.
The province has launched an independent investigation into the Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Homes on Concordia and Pembina Highway.
It comes after new concerns and allegations about the management of the facilities, including potential financial mismanagement, staff intimidation by management and nepotism, said Health Minister Theresa Oswald.
“These new allegations are numerous and serious and must be investigated,” said Oswald. “While inspections continue to show that the care at Bethania meets provincial standards, we also need to ensure that serious allegations … are investigated thoroughly.”
Get daily National news
In March, the province asked the Bethania Group board to terminate its agreement with Ray Koop. A provincial audit had found he had retired last summer from his 160,000 a year position, received a one-time payout of nearly $80,000 and started collecting his pension before being rehired the next daywith a pay increase.
Ray Koop denied a chance to speak with Global News, but the Bethania Board released this official statement.
“A tentative agreement has been reached with government. In order to resolve the situation, the Board has agreed to place Mr. Ray Koop on an Administrative Leave in order to allow a full leadership review. Additionally, an interim CEO will be named to ensure our administrative needs are met. It is hoped this will be finished by the end of June. With the conclusion of the review, we are confident that our organization will be able to return to normal.” Said Jake Neufeld, Board Chair, in the statement.
After Manitoba Health raised new allegations with the board of Bethania, they agreed to an independent investigation.
“We would like to assure all of our residents and their families that the Bethania board does take the concerns raised regarding governance and management at Bethania very seriously,” board chair Jake Neufeld said. “In good faith we will work with the reviewer and Manitoba Health to achieve a speedy resolution.”
The board has agreed with the province to cancel the new contract with Koop, return to the original contract and have Koop pay back some of the money, the province said.
The investigation will be released publicly once it’s completed.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.