Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The LBJ hospital board is refusing to comment on the employment status of the three managers that were placed on leave after internal investigations launched last month.

Samoa News made repeated queries to the spokesperson for the LBJ Board, Vice Chair Dr Jean Anderson after receiving reports that termination letters had been delivered.

“Humbly apologize but as we have stated before [that] any LBJ employees placed on leave we are not able to comment on. 

“Unfortunately the Board is unable to comment on this as the information is confidential private employee information,” Dr. Anderson said.

Last week LBJ hospital’s legal counsel, Thomas Jones confirmed there are three separate on-going investigations as per directive from the hospital Board of Directors. “There are separate [investigations] with these individuals, which are not related. ‘And these are issues that need to be addressed.

He said at the time, “It’s just a review of how they were performing their duties at LBJ and whether they should continue to be able to perform their duties like any employee.”

Jones noted that “if there's information that comes to light that they (the Board) feel that they are not performing to standard or are not living up to ethical standards that we expect of LBJ employees; we are going to review their employment status.

 “And that is really the process we're at right now.

“It does not necessarily mean that we have found anything at this point that would be determinative of their employment status, but we imagine we have justification to put them on leave,” said the legal counsel.

Dr Anderson reiterated to Samoa News yesterday the Board’s usual mantra — that it is however pleased to inform the community that steps are being taken to ensure a safe working environment for patients and staff. 

 “In addition, the Board and LBJ Executive Team will take necessary steps to address any misconduct or unethical acts conducted by LBJ staff,” she said.