Senate Holds Steward CEO in Contempt Amid Crisis

Dr. Ralph de la Torre, CEO of Steward Health Care, is stepping down amid a bankruptcy that has led to multiple hospital closures and significant criticism from lawmakers. The Senate unanimously voted to hold de la Torre in criminal contempt for refusing to testify about Steward's financial mismanagement, marking the first such vote since 1971. De la Torre has been accused of extracting hundreds of millions of dollars from the company for personal luxuries while the hospitals under Steward's care suffered severe resource shortages, impacting patient care. Senators from both parties condemned his actions, with Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Ed Markey highlighting the devastating effects on communities and healthcare workers. De la Torre invoked his Fifth Amendment rights, claiming that testifying would violate his constitutional protections. The criminal contempt charge has been referred to the Justice Department for prosecution, potentially leading to fines or imprisonment.