Local police say their investigation into a lengthy period of financial irregularities at Renfrew Victoria Hospital has wrapped up.
Officials with the OPP say no charges have been laid following a thorough examination by their Anti-Rackets branch into what Ministry of Health-appointed supervisor Altaf Stationwala called “a series of irregular transactions and practices involving certain former executives” at RVH and Renfrew Health spanning several years.
Among the peculiarities in Stationwala’s April report on the situation at RVH was a long-serving former CEO who received nearly $3 million in compensation through various undisclosed mechanisms, including a $1.3 million Supplementary Executive Retirement Plan, more than $170,000 in corporate credit card charges over six years, and a substantial interest-free loan.
The investigation also found Renfrew Health operated without independent governance, relying entirely on RVH staff and resources. Executives performed RH duties while receiving more than $2.7 million in dual compensation without transparency or proper oversight.
RVH leadership, while operating with annual budget surpluses, made decisions suggesting financial constraints during that time, which led to underinvestment in critical areas including clinical staffing, security in the emergency department, and administrative and governance infrastructure.
myFM has reached out to the Ministry of Health for an update on their investigation into the hospital and possible future actions.
(written by Kasey Egan with previous files from Sherry Haaima)
