RCMP launch probe into AHS amid government corruption allegations

Mounties in Alberta say they have launched an investigation following a complaint regarding Alberta Health Services.

They won’t provide further details, but the investigation follows allegations from the agency’s former CEO that there was high-level arm-twisting, possible conflicts of interest and corruption in multimillion-dollar health deals.

Athana Mentzelopoulos is suing the province for wrongful dismissal, saying she was fired in January for looking into the overpays on contracts with private surgical providers.

She also says she faced high-level political pressure to sign off on new deals despite outstanding questions surrounding excessive costs and who was benefiting.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.

Alberta’s auditor general and Smith’s government have launched their own probes into the contracts, and Smith has denied any wrongdoing.

Earlier this week, the province selected a former Manitoba judge to be the third-party who will review irregularities in medical contracts. The honourable Raymond E Wyant is to deliver an interim report by the end of May, and a finalized version by June 30.

NDP leader Naheed Nenshi previously called for an RCMP investigation and for all parties named in the allegations, including Smith and Health Minister Adriana LaGrange, to step aside during the probes.

This is a developing story. More to come.