Senate Committee Votes on CEO Contempt

The U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee voted unanimously to hold Steward Health Care CEO Ralph de la Torre in civil and criminal contempt for his refusal to comply with a subpoena to testify regarding the company's financial mismanagement and bankruptcy. Senators Bernie Sanders and Bill Cassidy stated that de la Torre's failure to appear left them no choice but to proceed with legal actions. The resolutions, which will now go to the full Senate for consideration, could force de la Torre to testify and may result in criminal prosecution. De la Torre's attorneys argued that he is being scapegoated and invoked his Fifth Amendment rights, claiming the hearing aimed to unfairly portray him as a criminal. Steward Health Care, facing bankruptcy, has been criticized for inadequate patient care and financial instability under de la Torre's leadership.