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ICS allegedly failed to remit collections
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Posted on Jun 12 2012
By Moneth Deposa
Reporter
Reporter
A new case may be filed against a former contractor of the public hospital after an internal probe discovered that it only remitted $69,000 of the $151,000 it had collected.
Saipan Tribune learned that a special committee earlier tasked by the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. board to probe transactions made by Idaho-based International Consulting Services has referred the matter to the Office of Attorney General for further review and action.
Attorney General Edward T. Buckingham declined to comment on the matter yesterday, saying he could not confirm or deny any investigation about ICS.
“Pending investigations are not appropriate for public comment. Accordingly, I must advise that I cannot, at this time, confirm or deny the existence of an investigation. The reason for this is to allow investigations, when undertaken, to proceed as thoroughly, quietly, and quickly as possible,” stated Buckingham in an email response, adding that “each person is presumed innocent and statements about an investigation might create perceptions that are damaging to an individual.”
The OAG and the Office of the Public Auditor earlier looked into alleged improper advance payments made by the corporation to ICS, for possible recovery of about $37,000.
The latest internal probe centers on the hospital collections that were received by ICS since it began working on the billing and collection services of the hospital in February this year.
The probe results were reportedly discussed in an executive session at the last board meeting and the board voted to refer the case to the OAG for further review and action.
Saipan Tribune learned that three hospital employees were interviewed by the board committee for possible involvement in the new case.
ICS’ sole-source contract was executed on Feb. 28. The OAG declared the contract unlawful because of alleged violations of existing regulations and laws, plus concerns that the company was overcharging CHC.
The ICS contract was later terminated on June 1 due to some discoveries of alleged improper advance payments and other issues.
