Boutros, MetroHealth draw opposite conclusions from auditor's report
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The Glick Center. Photo: Courtesy of HGA / Nic Lehoux Architectural Photography.
A report published Tuesday by the state auditor could not determine conclusively whether former MetroHealth CEO Akram Boutros improperly paid himself $1.9 million in supplemental bonuses between 2018-2022.
- Yes, but: It did determine that Boutros' actions were "not unreasonable and, therefore, not criminal."
Why it matters: The compensation scandal was a fall from grace for a respected Northeast Ohio executive and precipitated a turbulent era of rapid leadership turnover at Cleveland's major nonprofit public health system.
Catch up quick: The MetroHealth board of trustees terminated Boutros' employment in 2022 after an investigation found Boutros paid himself the bonuses without board approval.
- Boutros paid back the compensation, with interest, but has maintained that he did nothing wrong.
State of play: The auditor's report was conducted over two years at the request of the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's office.
What it found: Though Boutros did not share his development and management of the supplemental bonus program with the board, he did share information with an outside executive compensation firm.
What they're saying: In a statement sent to Axios, Boutros' attorneys regarded the auditor's findings as clearing their client.
- "The MetroHealth Board took a compensation dispute, mishandled it, and spun it into a public scandal that destroyed Dr. Boutros' reputation, livelihood, and even his health. This is a man who led MetroHealth to remarkable success, a good man who deserved far better."
The other side: The MetroHealth board released a statement highlighting findings that Boutros awarded himself the bonuses without explicit board authorization and ultimately paid the money back.
- "These facts make it clear that the Board acted properly in terminating Dr. Boutros for cause."
The latest: The MetroHealth board terminated the employment of Boutros' successor, Airica Steed, this summer.
- The board said Steed failed to meet the hospital's performance standards.
- As of earlier this month, per Ideastream, negotiations on the terms of a separation agreement have stalled.
- The board recently appointed Christine Alexander-Rager as CEO.