* Kelly Bauer of Block Club Chicago and David Jackson of the BGA…
The FBI is investigating Loretto Hospital’s COVID-19 vaccination program following reports that doses went to ineligible people with ties to hospital administrators, government records show.
Two federal grand jury subpoenas were issued to the Illinois Department of Public Health in May and September after Block Club Chicago revealed the hospital vaccinated ineligible people at Chicago’s Trump Tower, where Loretto’s chief financial officer, Dr. Anosh Ahmed, lived, as well as a luxury jewelry shop and a high-end Gold Coast steakhouse where Ahmed hung out.
The subpoenas, issued “pursuant to an official criminal investigation,” seek patient records and other documents over a two-day period in March when Chicagoans were scrambling to secure scarce vaccination appointments.
Loretto administrators did not respond to requests for comment.
The subpoenas represent demands for records and information and made no allegations of wrongdoing against any Loretto official. They also do not spell out the scope of the grand jury investigation or its targets.
Still, those documents signal a new depth to the turmoil swirling around the small safety-net hospital on the West Side. The Illinois Attorney General’s Office is already investigating the hospital following reports from Block Club and the Better Government Association that revealed one of Ahmed’s friends won contracts worth $4 million from the nonprofit hospital while Loretto board members took hospital-funded Caribbean trips, among other benefits.
- Pizza Man - Tuesday, Nov 2, 21 @ 9:59 am:
Thank you Ms. Bauer for your reporting as it uncovered corruption practices. Because of your investigative efforts, this hospital while a major resource to the local residents needs to answer to the authorities as it’s been alleged.
Lastly, the Caribbean junkets by the board must immediately cease — including by an influential GA member who should consider stepping down. This should have occurred long ago since it was initially reported.
- Telly - Tuesday, Nov 2, 21 @ 10:27 am:
The second subpoena in September is the one that stands out…indicates the feds are doing more than just a cursory check-in.
- Just Me 2 - Tuesday, Nov 2, 21 @ 11:34 am:
Gosh. Remember when rich people wanted the vaccine and were willing to break laws to get it? Sup
- Frank talks - Tuesday, Nov 2, 21 @ 2:05 pm:
If they just would’ve paid $250k like Bruce Rauner did all would be good.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-covid-vaccine-rick-desantis-florida-keys-20210304-sv3sw22vezbedmxaffk5xuutja-story.html
- WHY? - Tuesday, Nov 2, 21 @ 2:05 pm:
Ya gotta wonder why is the CEO still there???
- Nearly Normal - Tuesday, Nov 2, 21 @ 2:59 pm:
WHY–He resigned back in May. If you want to catch up with his latest endeavors here is his webpage–
https://www.dranoshahmed.com/
- SAP - Tuesday, Nov 2, 21 @ 3:14 pm:
Vaccine demand exceeded supply–man those were simpler times.
- Phil S. - Tuesday, Nov 2, 21 @ 8:16 pm:
The picture with Eric Trump was total click bait. I expect better from BGA.
The scandal/corruption here involves a lot of local political types, not Trump’s kid.