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Extracted from Consolidated Report
This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.
Imperial County Grand Jury
• 2013-2014
of Investigation: Heffernan Memorial Hospital District
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 5 findings
F1
Page 48
The HMHD’s dealings with MegaPark LLC has left the appearance of improprieties of handling tax generated money for purposes that are not fully understood.
F2
Page 48
The complaint that began this investigation was due to an allegation of misuse of $500,000.00 over land to be developed. These funds were given to the president of Mega Park LLC. A purchase agreement was presented to the board. Conflicting dates on this agreement and the lack of concrete ownership make this document hard to follow.
F3
Page 48
HMHD spent approximately 94% of its budget for the past five (5) years on board stipends, staffing expenses, legal fees, and questionable donations instead of on medical/healthcare as is the intended purpose of this district.
F4
Page 48
The HMHD has the appearance of participating on questionable banking and other financial practices.
F5
Page 48
There seems to be no practical present reason for continuing with the operation of the HMHD and lack of being an actual viable healthcare operation as it is.
Recommendations 5
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R1Page 48HMHD open up all books and records related to the MegaPark real estate dealings to the public, with a copy of such to the next years’ ICGJ panel (2014-2015) for consideration of further review. These would include evidence of legal property transfers and records made.
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R2Page 48HMHD should provide a full and detailed explanation as to where and how the funds were actually spent, who received what money, and who has what rights to the property in question presently.
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R3Page 48HMHD should explain why they spent such a high percentage of tax payer funding on things not directly related to healthcare, and take immediate steps to resolve questionable spending practices, if they are to remain to be a public hospital/healthcare district.
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R4Page 48HMHD voluntarily open themselves up to a forensic audit of all banking, and all other financial record keeping for the last five (5) years.
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R5Page 48The HMHD board voluntarily dismantle itself. a. The HMHD turn over all records to the Imperial County - California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions. b. The HMHD should freeze all assets and turn them over to the Imperial County Auditors’ Office for review and necessary payments to vendors, and other legal bills. c. All property to be turned over to the City of Calexico, so further use of the facilities can continue as needed. d. Arrangements should be made so that Pioneers Health Care District could continue operating the urgent care facility at the former Calexico Hospital until other arrangements can be made by other agencies. Response Required: The Imperial County Civil Grand Jury requires a written response from HMHD within ninety (90) days of this report being made public.