Former Alberta Health Services CEO and Government Clash Over Dismissal in $1.7M Lawsuit

Athana Mentzelopoulos alleges wrongful termination for investigating contract irregularities, while the province cites poor performance and defends its restructuring strategy.

• Athana Mentzelopoulos, former CEO of Alberta Health Services (AHS), has filed a $1.7 million wrongful dismissal lawsuit, alleging she was fired for investigating questionable contracts and political interference.
• The Alberta government counters that Mentzelopoulos was terminated due to her failure to fulfill her role effectively, particularly in implementing the province's health system restructuring plan.
• Mentzelopoulos claims she faced pressure from senior officials, including Health Minister Adriana LaGrange, to approve contracts she believed were problematic, with LaGrange allegedly dismissing concerns over 'shitty contracts.'
• The government’s statement of defence denies all allegations of interference or corruption, framing Mentzelopoulos’s claims as an attempt to secure additional compensation beyond her contractual termination pay.
• The case has drawn public attention, with calls for a speedy trial and ongoing investigations by the RCMP, Auditor-General, and an independent judge into the broader allegations of procurement irregularities.

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