West Ascension Parish Hospital in Donaldsonville released a statement following a recent television report concerning a payment made to the former chief executive officer.
Former CEO Vince Cataldo, who worked at the hospital for more than 50 years, said in an interview aired by WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge Aug. 20 that he received an $80,460 automatic deposit in January 2024, which he indicated was for accrued vacation time.
Citing political pressure in the television report, Cataldo stepped down at the end of 2023 after the Ascension Parish Council voted unanimously to replace the entire five-member board overseeing the hospital service district.
A recent Louisiana legislative audit finding showed the hospital district did not provide documentation to support the payment, or who approved it, as noted in the television report.
"I did not have anything to do with that check," Cataldo said in an interview with WBRZ's Bess Casserleigh. "I did not request that payment. I did not cut that check. I did not make the calculations. I did not submit that check to check writing service."
Cataldo also said in the television interview that it was not recommended by the hospital attorney to attempt a recovery of the money, and that the district attorney did not find any criminal activity.
The audit identified a total of 11 findings, including findings related to public bid law, internal control over financial reporting, donation of hospital district funds, bonus pay to employees, purchase of property in excess of appraised value, public records law, open meetings law and dual enrollment law.
According to the audit report available through the web site, the former CEO's final check showed "correction pay" in the amount of $80,460.
"There is no documentation supporting why the payment was made, nor was there any board approval noted," the report read. "Based on the vacation policy, the payment would be in excess of the accrued vacation policy as the most that could have been paid out based on the vacation policy would be $8,940."
An Aug. 24 news release from West Ascension Parish Hospital stated Chief Executive Officer Shelton Anthony was not employed by the district at the time the payment was approved or issued.
Anthony's tenure with the hospital begin in February 2024, according to the release.
Hospital leaders are currently working to gather and review records and documentation associated with the payment, including circumstances surrounding the authorization, per the release.
"We are in full transparency mode as we work to uncover and review all of the information pertaining to the payment of these funds to Mr. Cataldo," Anthony stated in the release. "Our responsibility is to ensure that the facts are thoroughly reviewed and that our community receives accurate information regarding this matter."
The statement followed Anthony's presentation to the parish council during the Aug. 20 meeting in Gonzales.
At the time, some of the council members expressed concerns over the audit findings.
Anthony said multiple action plans have been implemented.
"Those are things that we have to fix, and we have to fix quick," Chair Chase Melancon said.
Parish President Clint Cointment suggested during the meeting that the hospital's leaders report to the council every month during the meeting held the first Thursday of every month in Donaldsonville at the parish courthouse.
Michael Tortorich is a journalist for the USA Today Network in Louisiana.
Gonzales Weekly Citizen and Donaldsonville Chief, part of the USA Today Network of Louisiana, cover Ascension Parish and the greater Baton Rouge area. Follow at facebook.com/WeeklyCitizen and facebook.com/DonaldsonvilleChief.
This article originally appeared on Donaldsonville Chief: West Ascension Parish Hospital reviewing payment to former CEO