It was difficult to tell if it was just an artful dodge or sheer ineptness on the part of Stephen Russo when he appeared before the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee to testify about the placement of nursing home patients in a Tangipahoa Parish warehouse but whichever it was, it was a pathetic performance by someone in his area of responsibility.
Russo is executive legal counsel for the Department of Health which regulates nursing homes. What’s more, he was appointed INTERIM SECRETARY of the department during the time between the resignation of Dr. Rebecca Gee and the appointment of her successor, COURTNEY PHILLIPS.
Despite his high level of authority, Russo danced the bureaucratic shuffle under questioning from legislators who, had they done their own research, could have – should have – known of Russo’s background well in advance. Instead, they preferred to appear outraged and infuriated as opposed to the more realistic and accurate ill-informed and grandstanding over the treatment of the 853 patients from seven nursing homes who were evacuated into that warehouse in Independence as Hurricane Ida approached.
If the legislators had done their homework, they would have known that Russo (1) got PERSONALLY INVOLVED in Dr. Gee’s efforts to retain her tenure at LSU Health Science Center while simultaneously serving as DHH secretary – in apparent violation of the Governmental Code of Ethics (you may remember when we used to have an ethics board that actually meant something).
If the legislators had not been so intent on posturing for the TV cameras, they might have taken the time to learn how Russo had PROTECTED Attorney Supervisor Weldon Hill by intimidating and humiliating – and demoting – the woman who complained of Hill’s sexual harassment – a complaint that eventually resulted in DHH’s quietly SETTLING with the complainant.
And while that settlement was “only” $45,000, a little deeper drive by legislators might have revealed how much taxpayers actually HAD TO PAY to defend that lawsuit.
Perhaps they might have taken the time to peruse Russo’s DEPOSITION in that case – just to get a little background going into those hearings so they might anticipate how he would respond under questioning.
What Bob Dean allowed to take place in his nursing homes was deplorable. He’d already had one facility shut down by inspectors and now he has lost his license for the seven involved in the evacuation that resulted in at least 12 deaths. His cavalier attitude about the “acceptable” number of deaths didn’t help his public image – if, indeed, he was ever worried about his public image.
And, true enough, Russo wasn’t the one on trial for the unspeakable tragedy. But his agency is the one charged with nursing home oversight so, the buck must stop there. And he is the executive legal counsel for DHH.
So, why the hell did he refuse to answer some of the questions put to him “on the advice of counsel”
What counsel? He IS the counsel.
And he WAS, for a time, at least, secretary of the entire agency.
If Russo can’t – or won’t – answer questions, who, then, will?
His performance was wholly unsatisfactory and unacceptable.
Legislators need to press on with their inquiry.
And they need to do their homework in advance so they won’t look so addle-brained.
Faux indignation doesn’t play well anymore.
Sure appears both Mr. Russo and multiple legislators were incompetent buffoons.
But they keep getting reelected and reappointed. Kind of like the Catholic Church shuffling the pedophiles around for so many years. And no, I am not saying these legislators are pedophiles. Just that none of them belong where they are but voters keep them there much like the Bishops did.
These legislators could, and may have known all of this. Unfortunately, they believe, with good reason, they get re- elected by posturing and that faux indignation plays very well with their constituents. Why else did 45, the master of these, receive overwhelming support in Louisiana and why do the odds makers predict an overwhelming victory for John N. Kennedy? It’s not about us. It’s entirely about them and retention of their personal power.
P. S. It was not always this way. I can remember several state senators and representatives who were primarily guided by altruism, in my opinion. Among them, and off the top of my head, were:
V. J. Bella
Jay Dardenne (currently Commissioner of Administration)
Hunt Downer
Randy Ewing
Ron Gomez
E. L. (Bubba) Henry
Melvin (Kip) Holden
Raymond Laborde
Mitch Landrieu
Ed Scoggins
Vic Stelly
I’m sure I’ve forgotten other good ones, but I can think of NOBODY in our state legislature today who actually seems to care more about what is best for the state of Louisiana and its citizens than for themselves and/or their political parties. If any of you can name some, I would be happy to see who they are.
Stephen, I might add former Sen. Hines and Randy Roach.
and their personal wealth, which is the same as personal power. I know Russo has been sued so he is entitled to have counsel. This scheme was set up to protect state executives who were doing their jobs, and of course the legislators know this so yes the faux indignation is accurate. It is and will be an ongoing battle, at each level of our government. It is worldwide with all of this great communication via the internet, church, and Faux news. We must keep learning and …can’t say loving anymore, I might get sued for sexual harassment. ron thompson
Great analysis of that mess. Russo not only needs to be handed his head, but possibly jailed, too. He is responsible – in the end – for the negligence that resulted in human lives being lost. He should pay the price for his obvious involvement and culpability. Margie Vicknair-Pray Lacombe, LA