Overview

• U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden dismissed the case on Sept. 16, holding that the senators’ subpoenas, hearings and votes are legislative acts immune from suit.
• The ruling rejects de la Torre’s attempt to block a subpoena and contempt actions tied to the Senate inquiry and dismisses the case without prejudice.
• De la Torre had skipped a 2024 HELP hearing after being subpoenaed, invoking the Fifth Amendment and citing constraints from Steward Health’s bankruptcy proceedings.
• The HELP Committee approved civil and criminal contempt resolutions and the Senate passed the criminal contempt referral to the U.S. Attorney, with no public sign of prosecution to date.
• Massachusetts senators applauded the decision and pressed the Justice Department to act, as prior reporting has alleged heavy borrowing, executive payouts and care lapses at Steward.