Police investigating 'past financial practices' at LHSC, hospital boss says

The London Police Service (LPS) is investigating financial activity at the region's largest hospital network, London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) officials confirmed, Wednesday.

The news comes amid a dramatic reshaping of LHSC's management structure that has resulted in one-third of the hospital network's leadership being slashed.

An email statement attributed to David Musyj, LHSC's province-appointed supervisor, confirmed an LPS investigation into "past financial practices at LHSC," but shared few details.

"We are fully cooperating with the police during their investigation. As the investigation is ongoing, we will not be making any further comments," the statement reads.

"The London Police Service can confirm that we have initiated a fraud investigation relating to past financial practices at the hospital," police said a statement emailed to CBC News. "We are unable to share anything further at this time. Additional information will be shared via a future media release, if appropriate."

LHSC has seen a tumultuous several months since concerns were first raised about a projected $150 million budget deficit in June. Shortly before that, Musyj took over as the hospital network's head with the stated goal of reining in that budget deficit.

Since June, a number of top executives have been fired, the entire hospital board resigned — and LHSC is now facing several wrongful dismissal lawsuits over the firings. The hospital's organization structure has also been reworked and Musyj was appointed as LHSC's supervisor by the Ministry of Health.

The Minister of Health's spokesperson Hannah Jensen said the province has had no involvement in the police investigation.