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Political Allegations in Alberta Health Contracts: A Minister Responds
The Alberta Minister of Addictions, Dan Williams, has refuted claims of familiarity with Jitendra Prasad, a former government employee now entwined in a lawsuit alleging significant political interference and favoritism in high-value health contracts.
During a press event on Tuesday at the legislature, Williams clarified, “To my knowledge, I’ve never met him.” This statement comes in light of his mention in a wrongful dismissal suit recently filed by Athana Mentzelopoulos, the ousted CEO of Alberta Health Services (AHS), which is undergoing considerable restructuring that has reduced its operational scope.
Mentzelopoulos is pursuing $1.7 million in damages and back pay, claiming she was terminated last month for probing into lucrative contracts awarded to select private surgical providers, which she alleges were influenced by high-ranking political figures.
The lawsuit raises concerns over potential conflicts of interest involving Prasad, who held a role in procurement at AHS while also maintaining an email account for MHCare Medical, a private health organization.
MHCare Medical was awarded a contract in 2022 worth approximately $70 million for pediatric pain medication, during a critical shortage in the province. However, only 30% of this contract has been executed, and AHS subsequently ceased using the medication due to safety issues.
It is important to note that all accusations in this case remain unproven in court. Moreover, Williams is not named as a defendant in the legal action. Nevertheless, the lawsuit cites comments made by Williams’ deputy minister, who serves as the leading civil servant in the department.
The document reveals that during a phone conversation in January, the deputy minister indicated that Williams was “very concerned” about ongoing investigations, noting one investigation that involved “our good friend JP,” a reference to Prasad. In response, Williams remarked, “I can’t comment on the phrasing used by my deputy minister,” regarding the characterization of Prasad. He continued, “I assume it’s tongue-in-cheek, but I can tell you, to my knowledge, I’ve never met him and I wouldn’t consider him a friend.”
Williams emphasized that his primary concern lies with the responsible use of public funds, rather than the individuals being scrutinized, and stated that the investigations conducted by his deputy minister found no evidence of wrongdoing within his department.
He also acknowledged a past encounter with Sam Mraiche, the owner of MHCare Medical, during a social dinner two years ago, but clarified that the discussion did not delve into business matters.
As of now, Prasad has not responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations against him.
In response to the procurement allegations, Premier Danielle Smith has initiated an internal investigation, seeking an independent party to oversee the process. Additionally, the province’s auditor general is launching a separate investigation into the procurement practices. Williams has indicated that he will await the auditor general’s findings to determine if further inquiries are warranted within his ministry.
These developments come at a time when Alberta Infrastructure Minister Peter Guthrie has resigned from his cabinet role, expressing concerns over the government’s handling of procurement contracts, highlighting the growing scrutiny over the province’s contract management practices.
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globalnews.ca