Probe of Copeland e-mail allegations asked

By Carolyne Park Staff Writer

An Erlanger hospital board member is requesting an independent investigation into allegations that board Chairman David Copeland passed confidential information to a third party through the hospital authority’s e-mail system.

"The chairman has said he was unaware of these e-mails," former Chancellor Vann Owens said at a meeting of Erlanger’s Legal Committee Tuesday night. "If that is the case, we need an outside investigation to confirm it."

Mr. Owens presented the committee with a resolution asking the board’s approval for an investigation, but the committee took no vote.

Mr. Copeland said after the meeting that he was not involved in the alleged e-mails, but declined further comment.

"I have no response," he said. "It’s a decision for the board to make."

Committee Chairman Tom Williams said he does not support an independent investigation.

"There has already been an (internal) investigation," he said. "It’s still going on."

Mr. Williams said there was not adequate public notice of Tuesday night’s meeting to allow for a vote. Mr. Owens said he spoke with Mr. Williams about the resolution a week ago, in time to issue adequate notice. Mr. Owens said he plans to present the resolution for vote by the full board of trustees at its next meeting on Jan. 23.

Board member Dr. Barrett Heywood said he would vote in favor of the resolution.

"I felt like it ought to be investigated by an independent organization, and I still think that," he said.

According to the resolution, board members learned last month that confidential information allegedly had been requested by Mr. Copeland and passed along to "assist a third person (to) establish a business." The internal investigation "will likely not have the confidence that the matter has been truly, objectively and completely resolved," and an outside investigator would "determine if any, and which laws have been violated and to clear the chairman of the board of any improprieties if possible and make other appropriate recommendations," according to the resolution.

Mr. Owens said he is concerned about several issues with the hospital.

"I have just sat back too long," he said.

He said he also would like to see limits tightened on expenditures allowed without board approval, and questions the hiring of former board member Jermaine Harper as the hospital’s new compliance officer. Such a move typically requires board approval, he said.

"I was absolutely shocked," Mr. Owens said. "I haven’t seen a resume of our former board member, so I don’t even know his qualifications."

Erlanger Chief Executive Officer Dennis Pettigrew said he is recommending Mr. Harper be hired, but the final decision will be made by the board later this month. Mr. Harper, who has six years of experience as an analyst at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, is serving in the position now at an interim hourly rate, he said.

Mr. Harper resigned as a board member effective Dec. 27, Mr. Pettigrew said.