Maryland hospital network seeking $400,000 in restitution from former Baltimore Mayor Pugh, chairman testifies

Baltimore Sun ^ | 01/30/20 | LUKE BROADWATER

[Libloather]

The University of Maryland Medical System is seeking to recover hundreds of thousands of dollars paid to disgraced former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh for her “Healthy Holly” books, top officials of the hospital network testified Thursday in Annapolis.

“We have recovered $100,000 of the $500,000,” James C. “Chip” DiPaula Jr., the new chairman of the system’s board, told the House of Delegates’ Health and Government Operations Committee. “We are working with the U.S. prosecutors to recover the balance.”

Pugh, who resigned as mayor last spring as the book scandal unfolded, has since pleaded guilty to conspiracy and tax evasion charges and awaits sentencing Feb. 27. Pugh’s attorney, Steve Silverman, declined to comment Thursday.

DiPaula and Dr. Mohan Suntha, the system’s new CEO, appeared before the House committee Thursday afternoon, seeking to assure lawmakers that the state’s largest hospital network is undergoing reforms after last year’s high-profile self-dealing scandal.

[Libloather]

Pugh took the bribe. She should be able to pay it back well before her prison term begins.

[Slainte]

How dare they persecute Mayor Pugh, the literary genius who unselfishly presented this masterpiece to the world? It brings a tear to the eye.

We Read Mayor Pugh's Book "Healthy Holly"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tei0u5J2zBs

I wonder if a jury would buy a defense centered on it not actually being an act of fraud, but a humanitarian gesture to NOT print any more of these...

[Libloather]

Oh, no. There’s a typo in the book. Kids should sue.