Trial begins against former UMC chief
The prosecution laid out its case against Lacy Thomas Tuesday, saying the former University Medical Center chief gave his Chicago friends contracts that cost taxpayers $11 million.
Chief deputy district attorney Scott Mitchell told the jury during opening statements that the five hospital contracts were unnecessary and duplicated services that were already available using county or hospital resources.
"It appears those contracts were awarded because of friendship, which is against the law," Mitchell said.
But Thomas' lawyer, Dan Albregts, said his client only brought in his Chicago contacts because he had worked with them before and trusted they could help solve the major problems facing the public hospital.
"All this man was trying to do was run the hospital the best he knew how," he said.
He also noted that all the contracts went through the review and approval process set up by the county.
