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The health-care procurement scandal is fast morphing into one of the most epic legal battles Alberta has ever seen
The health-care procurement scandal is fast morphing into one of the most epic legal battles Alberta has ever seen
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Alberta’s auditor general rejects the government ordering officials to “redirect” his interview requests to an external lawyer.
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It’s yet another blow-up in the scandal over procurement for private surgery contracts and the “Turkish Tylenol” deal.
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Auditor General Doug Wylie is conducting one of three probes into the controversy.
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He directly contradicts the health minister’s claim that he knew the about the government involving its lawyer, as outlined in a leaked government memo.
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He adds that despite what the health minister’s office says, he was never told about it.
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“This came as a surprise to the auditor general, and our office will be seeking clarity on why that communication (the memo) was sent,” says a statement from his office.
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“We were not aware of, nor did we endorse, that proposed action. That is not a standard practice our office typically encounters in the course of its work.”
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The memo from a senior deputy minister commands officials, when asked to appear for an interview, to “redirect the OAG to our legal counsel.
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“That should be done by email, and with a copy to me and our legal counsel.”
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The memo then suggests wording for emails.
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Health Minister Adriane LaGrange’s office said Friday that this happens all the time and the auditor general knew it was being done.
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“The process for co-ordinating interviews was approved by the OAG, and they were aware that all requests for interviews and documentation would be co-ordinated through legal counsel,” LaGrange’s office had said.
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“Legal representation helps ensure procedural fairness and that individuals understand their rights, obligations and the scope of their participation in the investigation.”
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In this case, it also makes darn sure the government knows everything an official tells the auditor general.
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Wylie could not have been more clear — he neither knew about nor approved the practice.
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Wylie reviews departmental performance all the time. He has a revolving door for officials trying to explain why they spent this or failed to accomplish that.
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In typical low-voltage cases, interview requests might be funnelled through a single department official.
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But officials have never before been ordered to say “call my lawyer” when the auditor general comes calling.
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It’s another sign that the health-care procurement scandal is fast morphing into one of the most epic legal battles Alberta has ever seen.
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On Friday, the government asked for an injunction against fired AHS boss Athana Mentzelopoulos, to prevent her from making legal use of emails she sent to her private address as she was being fired.