Chattanooga's Erlanger Hospital is seen in this aerial file photo.A former Erlanger employee has asked Hamilton County Circuit Court to compel the hospital's board of trustees to release what he says are public records and to stop trustees from hiring a new CEO.
At close of business Friday, Patrick Kellogg, who is not an attorney, filed a petition with the court seeking access to public records, including meeting minutes, agendas, emails and other documents produced as a result of the April 2012 appointment of a search committee to find a replacement for former CEO Jim Brexler.
Kellogg also asked for resumes of candidates who were considered, "agenda [and] meetings minutes for all discussions where at least two board members were present," and a copy of the law the hospital board used to justify holding closed meetings in December, January and this month, according to the filing.
In the petition, Kellogg alleged the hospital board violated the state's open meetings law at closed meetings on Dec. 27, Jan. 24, Feb. 12 and Monday, when the board announced its selection of Kevin Spiegel as the health system's next CEO.
After filing the paperwork Friday, Kellogg said he had asked Erlanger for the documents but received no response.
In a separate motion, Kellogg asked the court to restrain Erlanger's board from moving forward on Spiegel's contract negotiations while a hearing is pending on a requested injunction.
Kellogg, who resigned from Erlanger to become a community organizer, said the filings are only the beginning of his efforts.
"On Monday, I'll ask for an order to be granted. I'll have to go straight to the judge on that," Kellogg said.
He said summons to Ron Loving, chairman of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Hospital Authority board of trustees, also will be sent Monday.
Loving did not return phone calls for comment late Friday.
Kellogg announced his intention to file an injunction against the Erlanger board Wednesday at a meeting of the Hamilton County Commission.