BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Clinica Sierra Vista is facing allegations of punishing whistleblowers who reported acts of corruption committed by the nonprofit’s top executives.
Clinica Sierra Vista is a nonprofit, federally qualified health center that serves over 200,000 residents in Kern and Fresno counties each year, mainly focusing on underserved communities, according to CSV. It has an annual operating budget of over $200 million.
The lawsuit was filed by CSV’s Chief Administrative Officer Magdalena Pruitt and Director of Finance Genesis Barajas. Both work for CSV but are on paid administrative leave.
In a statement to 17 News, CSV’s legal counsel Russell Ryan denied all allegations outlined in the suits. He said there was no misconduct and that CSV is confident the truth will come out.
“This is, at heart, a lawsuit from disgruntled employees,” said Ryan.
“Clinica Sierra Vista vigorously disputes the allegations contained in the lawsuit and media reports, and those allegations should not be mistaken for established facts,” CSV said in a statement addressing the community and its patients.
The suit, filed Aug. 19, accuses several top executives at the organization of “attempting to enrich themselves at the expense of CSV.”
According to the suit, CSV’s senior executives were informed during a “last-minute meeting” the organization will work with an outside contractor to staff its new Westpoint Clinic. This happened despite it being a costly option,...
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