(The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh)

By rdnewsNOW staff

mentzelopoulos fires back

Alberta health minister files statement of defence in relation to AHS procurement scandal

Mar 13, 2025 | 5:12 PM

The Government of Alberta, represented by its health minister, has filed its statement of defense in relation to what’s been dubbed the ‘CorruptCare’ scandal.

The matter, which is currently under RCMP investigation, centres around Health Minister Adriana LaGrange, who is also MLA for Red Deer-North.

Former AHS CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos filed a $1.7 million lawsuit last month against LaGrange and Alberta Health Services (AHS), alleging she was fired for looking into possible high-level government interference, as well as overpays on multi-million dollar contracts.

Though her defence had not yet been filed, LaGrange did issue a statement at the time saying, “many of the allegations and claims made are clearly false, while others need to be investigated.”

The Auditor General also announced he’d be conducting a review.

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In LaGrange’s filing, dated March 13, it’s alleged Mentzelopoulos, “filled her claim with various allegations of impropriety, interspersed with claims of political intrigue aimed at numerous individuals within and outside government.”

It opines that she did this to, “leverage her position to extract a large pay day.”

“The Government of Alberta’s statement of defence related to the AHS matter has been filed,” Justice Minister Mickey Amery said in a separate statement on behalf of the government Thursday.

“As this matter is now before the courts, we refer you to the facts contained in that document if you have any further questions. We will resolutely defend against the unproven allegations raised in this matter.”

The statement of defence also remarks that Mentzelopoulos was not fired because she commenced an investigation, or due to a conspiracy to get her to stop, but rather because she, “failed to perform her role as president and CEO effectively.”

It also alleges professionalism issues, and calls ‘nonsensical,’ the plaintiff’s suggestion that the timing of her termination was motivated by her planned meeting with the Auditor General.

“On December 23, 2024, at a meeting between the Minister, Deputy Minister and the AHS Board Chair, Angela Fong, the Minister expressed her concern that there had been a loss of confidence in the Plaintiff’s ability to carry out her duties in an effective manner and support the Health System Refocus,” section 49 of the defence reads.

“Termination of the Plaintiff was discussed, and the termination process was supported by Ms. Fong as chair of the AHS Board.For compassionate reasons,the termination of the Plaintiff was deferred until after Christmas holidays (to January 8th)and, at Ms. Fong’s suggestion, to provide sufficient time for AHS’ legal counsel to prepare a termination letter and related paperwork.”

rdnewsNOW/Pattison Media reached out to the lawyer for Athana Mentzelopoulos, and received the new statement she provided to media Thursday.

Mentzelopoulos, whose full statement is embedded below, along with the full Statement of Defence from LaGrange, says Premier Danielle and Smith and Minister LaGrange, “have acknowledged something that is very important to me — that my Statement of Claim is serious and deserves investigation.”

“It grieves me that Premier Smith and Minister LaGrange have accused me of trying to defy government policy and direction. I was privileged to work in the public sector for over 30 years, both provincially and federally,” says Mentzelopoulos.

“I was trained by incredible public servants who above all instilled this important ethic: Fearless Advice and Faithful Implementation. I worked every day knowing that I was paid by taxpayers, and I was always deeply appreciative and respectful of that fact.”

The Alberta NDP also issued a brief statement Thursday.

“The former AHS CEO’s statement today and the government’s statement of defence add more chapters to this endless CorruptCare saga,” says party leader Naheed Nenshi.

“Neither of these, nor the lawsuit as a whole, give Albertans the answers we need. This is why we demand a full public inquiry now rather than the Premier’s shamvestigation.”

Mentzelopoulos:

Statement of defence:

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