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US Senate Unanimously Holds Steward Health CEO Ralph de la Torre in Criminal Contempt, Faces Potential Prison Time

Sep 25, 2024, 10:43 PM

The US Senate voted unanimously on Wednesday to hold Ralph de la Torre, CEO of Steward Health Care, in criminal contempt of Congress. This decision follows de la Torre's refusal to comply with a congressional subpoena related to cost-cutting decisions at Steward's 31 hospitals before the company filed for bankruptcy. The Senate's resolution refers the matter to the Justice Department, which could lead to a trial and potential prison time for de la Torre. This marks the first time since 1971 that the Senate has held someone in criminal contempt. Senators, including Bill Cassidy and Bernie Sanders, emphasized the need for accountability in cases where corporate actions jeopardize public health and safety. Reports indicated that nurses at a Steward hospital had to pay out of pocket for cardboard boxes for dead newborn corpses, highlighting severe operational issues. The Senate HELP Committee had sought de la Torre's testimony on these matters.