Senate Unanimously Holds Steward Health CEO in Criminal Contempt

Ralph de la Torre faces prosecution for defying subpoena amid allegations of financial mismanagement and patient endangerment.

The Senate voted unanimously to hold Ralph de la Torre, CEO of Steward Health Care, in criminal contempt for failing to comply with a congressional subpoena.
De la Torre could face up to 12 months in prison and a $100,000 fine if convicted, marking the first criminal contempt charge by the Senate in over 50 years.
Senators Bernie Sanders and Bill Cassidy spearheaded the resolution, citing Steward's financial mismanagement and its impact on patient care across more than 30 hospitals in eight states.
Allegations include the deaths of at least 15 patients due to inadequate medical equipment and staffing, and the endangerment of over 2,000 others.
Investigations revealed de la Torre and other executives received $250 million in compensation while the company declared bankruptcy and closed multiple hospital units.