The incoming chairman of the Alberta Health Services is apologizing for the scandal over executive expenses and is vowing to review all the records.
Stephen Lockwood made the announcement on Thursday.
The controversy exploded when it was learned that Edmonton’s former CFO Allaudin Merali spent nearly $350,000 on everything from expensive dinners to a car phone installation for his luxury car.
“I personally apologize to all of the residents of this great province for monies that may have been spent by any predecessor organization of AHS on expenses not related to health care,” Lockwood said in a statement.
He added that it doesn’t matter how much money is involved, all leaders should be held accountable.
“They are expected to track every health dollar used for expenses.”
Lockwood says that the organization has received a great number of Freedom of Information requests about its expenses, and it’s spent $200,000 so far processing those requests.
That amount is equivalent to 14 hip sugeries, Lockwood says.
However, he does promise that all the requests will be fulfilled.
