Embezzlement alleged at hospital subsidiary

Harbor Medical Group

An employee of the Harbor Medical Group was placed on leave and then resigned following allegations of embezzlement, Grays Harbor Public Hospital District 2 officials said Thursday.

Harbor Medical Group is a subsidiary of Grays Harbor Community Hospital and both fall under the umbrella of the hospital district. The medical group consists of a group of eight clinics staffed by physician specialists. Several are located at the Community Hospital’s east campus in Aberdeen.

The district released few details but issued a statement saying that on Wednesday, after a forensic audit by a local accounting firm, “a Harbor Medical Group (HMG) attorney filed paperwork with the Grays Harbor County Prosecutor indicating that an embezzlement occurred at HMG.”

The statement said the employee, who was not named, was placed on administrative leave and resigned shortly after the alleged embezzlement was discovered. “Our attorney will be working closely with authorities to ensure that appropriate charges are filed,” the district’s statement said.

“As a result of these findings, HMG will be strengthening processes to enhance accountability and internal controls to mitigate risk,” the statement concluded.