Powell Hospital Settles With Management Company

POWELL, Wyo. (AP) — Powell Valley Healthcare has settled its lawsuit against a management company over a former hospital CEO charged with bilking the organization of $848,000.

The Associated Press reported Thursday the amount of the settlement with HealthTech Management Services hasn't been disclosed.

Then-CEO Paul Cardwell was on the payroll of HealthTech, which managed the hospital.

Cardwell is charged with funneling $848,000 in hospital funds to a bogus recruiting firm. Prosecutors say Michael Plake of West Lafayette, Ind., who ran the bogus company, was pocketing 25 percent of the money and giving the rest to Cardwell.

Caldwell and Plake were indicted on charges including fraud and conspiracy.

Caldwell disappeared in August and is considered a fugitive. Plake pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges and is to be sentenced this month.