Staff files amended suit vs THC acting resident director, 2 others

An administrative officer of Tinian Health Center has sued THC acting resident director Freddy U. Hofschneider and two other THC employees for alleged conspiracy in misusing and abusing their authority.

THC administrative officer II Concepcion M. Manglona filed last week her first amended complaint in Superior Court against Hofschneider, Social Worker IV Thomasa I. Palacios, and surveillance coordinator Herman U. Hofschneider.

Manglona, through counsel Ramon K. Quichocho, also named Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., and five unnamed persons as co-defendants in the suit.

Manglona is suing Freddy Hofschneider, Palacios, and Herman Hofschneider for denial of due process, and deprivation of property.

In addition, the plaintiff is suing Freddy Hofschneider and Palacios for unjust enrichment. She is suing Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. for negligent selecting, hiring, supervising, and retaining Freddy Hofschneider.

Manglona asked the court to hold the defendants liable to pay her damages, attorney’s fees, and court costs.

Asked for comments about the lawsuit yesterday, Freddy Hofschneider said the Office of the Attorney General is the one handling the case and that he has not seen the first amended complaint yet. Saipan Tribune tried but failed to contact Palacios and Herman Hofschneider.

According to Quichocho in the complaint, Freddy Hofschneider and the other conspiring defendants have created a “toxic environment” at THC.

Quichocho said for too long, Freddy Hofschneider has misused and abused his position to extort monies from various employees at THC and sometimes with the aid of the conspiring defendants.

Quichocho said when Manglona did not give Freddy Hofschneider the full amount that he was “borrowing,” he conspired with other THC employees to suspend the plaintiff for 14 days without just cause or any factual basis, and without due process of law.

The lawyer alleged that Freddy Hofschneider is notorious for borrowing money from various THC employees, and if he does not get what he wants, he retaliates against the staff.

Quichocho said that, on Dec. 1, 2011, Manglona received a letter of suspension from duty from Freddy Hofschneider dated Nov. 29, 2011.

The letter informed Manglona that she was placed under suspension without pay for 14 days effective immediately for an alleged violation of the Personnel Service System Rules and Regulations.

Quichocho said the defendants have released the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act—protected confidential information of the concerned patient, to third persons.

Quichocho said that, on Dec. 9, 2011, Freddy Hofschneider wrote a letter informing plaintiff that they are retracting the letter that placed her under suspension without pay for 14 days.

The resident director also apologized to the “inconvenience and discomfort that was placed” on Manglona.

Quichocho said Freddy Hofschneider is a high school graduate, does not have a bachelor’s degree, and is therefore, not qualified for the job.

The lawyer added that CHC did not publicly announce the position that Freddy Hofschneider now occupies.