In a setting similar to a witness being questioned in a courtroom, Madison Parish Police Jury members heard directly from terminated Madison Parish Hospital employee Latayatacha Ross during a special meeting held Monday night.
Ross, who answered direct questions from former Second Circuit Court of Appeal Chief Judge Felicia Toney Williams, told for the first time in a formal setting her side of how and why she was terminated from her position as a family nurse practitioner at Madison Parish Hospital (MPH) on August 8.
Ross, who worked in her position for more than two decades, pointed the finger directly at MPH CEO Ted Topolewski, telling jurors she was told she could resign or be fired for allegedly attempting to defraud the hospital of $1,000.
Ross said that amount of money was a typical bonus for someone in her position, but gave a detailed account of why it would have been nearly impossible for her to even attempt to fraudulently accrue the funds.
Responding to questions from Williams, Ross explained she believed the termination was a direct result of her hesitation in signing off on a personnel change concerning MPH physicians and her subsequent questioning of those in positions of power, including Topolewski.
"I knew it was going to be a problem," Ross said. "Dr. Topolewksi doesn't like to be challenged."
So far, there has been no comment from MPH leadership, although two members of the hospital's board of commissioners were on hand for Monday's meeting.
For the complete story from the meeting, pick up a copy of this week's Madison Journal.
