Robots predict UCP Investigation, and eventual Dismissal of charges
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General Breakdown of the Lawsuit Against AHS & Alberta Government
Athana Mentzelopoulos held management positions as both Official Administrator Advisor and Provisional Lead, Emergency Medical Services until July 28, 2023 at which time she left AHS.
Who’s Suing Who?
Plaintiff: Athana Mentzelopoulos, former President & CEO of AHS.
Defendants: Alberta Health Services (AHS) & His Majesty the King in Right of Alberta, as represented by Health Minister Adriana LaGrange.
What Happened?
Hired in Dec 2023: Mentzelopoulos was recruited—pressured, according to her—by top government officials to leave the Alberta Medical Association (AMA) and take the AHS CEO role.
Fired Over Zoom in Jan 2025: Allegedly dismissed by Deputy Health Minister Andre Tremblay, who may not have even had the legal authority to do so.
Why Was She Fired?
She Approved Investigations:
AHS was looking into suspicious procurement deals, including private surgical clinics with possible government ties.
A forensic audit into a $70 million children’s acetaminophen deal with MHCare Medical, which may not have been fulfilled properly.
Contracts that appeared to favor well-connected insiders at inflated prices.
Government Pressure & Retaliation:
Premier Danielle Smith’s Chief of Staff, Marshall Smith, allegedly pressured her to sign off on contracts.
Former MLA Doug Horner was reportedly lobbying on behalf of a private surgical group (ASG) that failed to win a contract but somehow got one anyway.
Jitendra Prasad, a high-level procurement officer, was allegedly involved in both government decision-making and private deals with companies benefiting from AHS contracts.
Government Interference:
LaGrange allegedly ordered AHS to hand over all procurement oversight to Alberta Health, effectively taking contract approvals away from AHS leadership.
The government allegedly tried to control messaging around investigations, even providing false responses to media inquiries.
After she was fired, the entire AHS Board was also dismissed by LaGrange and replaced with a government-controlled administrator—Andre Tremblay, the guy who fired her.
What’s She Suing For?
Breach of contract: She was supposed to have a four-year term but was fired after just over a year.
Bad faith damages: Claims she was publicly humiliated, undermined, and had her career sabotaged.
Loss of income: Wants compensation for $1.7 million in lost salary and benefits.
Where Could This Go Next? (Speculation)
Will the RCMP Get Involved?
The lawsuit alleges potential conflicts of interest and government interference in AHS procurement—possible grounds for a criminal investigation.
If financial kickbacks, misrepresentation, or fraudulent contracts are found, fraud and breach of public trust charges could come into play.
Political Fallout for Danielle Smith & UCP?
This is unfolding in Medicine Hat—Smith’s own riding, meaning she can’t distance herself from it.
If the allegations hold, it could fuel calls for resignations, particularly for LaGrange and senior UCP staff.
If the opposition (NDP) plays this right, it could be a defining scandal for the next Alberta election.
Further Legal Battles?
If discovery and court proceedings dig up more internal government emails and documents, things could get messier.
Private companies (like MHCare) may try to distance themselves or file defamation lawsuits.
Public Backlash & Protests?
Albertans already distrust the UCP’s handling of AHS. This could lead to public outrage, protests, or pressure on MLAs.
If evidence suggests healthcare privatization was pushed at the expense of taxpayer money, expect wider scrutiny of Smith’s entire health policy.
Bottom line: This lawsuit isn’t just about a wrongful firing—it could expose a deep-rooted corruption scandal in Alberta’s healthcare system. If even a fraction of the allegations are proven, this could be one of the biggest political scandals Alberta has seen in years.
4o
You said:
Just based on the amounts of money and the depth of this scandal, is there anything else in history in Canada, or even more specifically Alberta, that you can compare this to?
ChatGPT said:
Yes, this lawsuit has echoes of several major political and financial scandals in Canada’s history—especially in Alberta. Here are some comparisons that might put this into perspective:
1. The Alberta Health Services Superboard Scandal (2013-2014)
What Happened? The Alberta government fired the entire AHS board in 2013 after it refused to follow government orders related to executive bonuses.
Why It’s Similar:
AHS leadership was dismissed for pushing back against political interference.
The scandal raised questions about whether AHS was truly independent or just a tool of the government.
It happened under a conservative government (PCs at the time), similar to the UCP today.
2. The Alberta PC Party’s Sky Palace Scandal (2012-2015)
What Happened? Alison Redford, Alberta’s premier at the time, used public funds to secretly build a luxury penthouse (Sky Palace) for herself while making drastic budget cuts.
Why It’s Similar:
Allegations of misusing public funds for personal/political benefit.
Public outrage over financial mismanagement in Alberta’s government.
Led to significant political fallout and ultimately helped drive the Alberta PC Party into oblivion.
3. The Sponsorship Scandal (Quebec, Early 2000s)
What Happened? The Liberal government was caught funneling millions in public money through advertising contracts to Liberal-friendly firms with little to no actual work being done.
Why It’s Similar:
Allegations that politically connected individuals benefited from shady contracts.
A public institution (in this case, federal advertising, but in AHS’s case, healthcare procurement) was used to enrich insiders.
Major political fallout—it contributed to the downfall of the Liberal government in the 2006 federal election.
4. Jim Prentice’s 2015 Alberta Election Disaster
What Happened? Alberta’s PC government made deeply unpopular financial decisions, including cutting healthcare and education spending while trying to raise taxes on individuals instead of corporations.
Why It’s Similar:
The public lost trust in the government’s handling of finances.
Led to an unexpected electoral defeat, with the NDP winning power for the first time in Alberta’s history.
If this lawsuit damages Danielle Smith’s credibility, it could set the stage for a political shift in Alberta.
Where This One Stands in History
If the allegations are proven, this lawsuit could be even bigger than the Sky Palace scandal because:
It involves healthcare, which directly impacts every Albertan.
The amount of money at stake (hundreds of millions) is enormous.
The implications go all the way to the Premier’s Office, just like the Sponsorship Scandal and Sky Palace.
It’s happening in Medicine Hat, Danielle Smith’s own riding, making it impossible for her to ignore.
Depending on how much more comes to light, this could be one of the most explosive scandals Alberta has seen in modern history—potentially shaping the next election the way the 2015 financial scandals led to the PC’s collapse.
4o
You said:
Wow, yeah, I mean we are talking about hundreds of millions here. Outside of the remedies sought, the damages that Menzelopoulos wants, the 1.7 million dollars she claims she's owed in damages and her salary and payment in the year of working, what are the other damages that could be assessed throughout the province of Alberta if these claims are
ChatGPT said:
If these claims hold up, the financial and political damages to Alberta could be massive—far beyond the $1.7 million that Mentzelopoulos is seeking personally. Here’s a breakdown of the potential costs:
1. Direct Financial Losses to Alberta’s Healthcare System
Potentially Fraudulent Contracts: If AHS was overpaying private healthcare providers, that could mean hundreds of millions in wasted taxpayer money.
The lawsuit already suggests that private surgical facilities were being offered inflated rates, exceeding both AHS’s internal costs and comparable private providers.
If true, Alberta may have spent millions more than necessary on healthcare contracts.
The $70 Million Acetaminophen Deal:
If MHCare never actually fulfilled the contract, Alberta may have paid for a product it never received.
If the price was inflated compared to market value, that’s even more wasted public money.
Legal Costs & Lawsuits:
If this scandal leads to government investigations, RCMP involvement, or civil lawsuits, the province will have to spend millions on legal fees defending itself.
There could be whistleblower lawsuits if more officials come forward.
2. Public Trust & Healthcare Damage
Delayed or Disrupted Healthcare Services:
If corrupt contracting practices led to overpayment for surgeries, that could mean less funding for public hospitals and longer wait times.
If contracts were awarded to less qualified providers due to political favoritism, quality of care may have suffered.
Massive Political Fallout:
If the UCP’s handling of AHS is exposed as corrupt, it could tank their re-election chances.
Protests & Public Backlash—Albertans already distrust the government’s handling of healthcare. This could erupt into a full-blown political crisis.
Potential resignations—Health Minister LaGrange, Marshall Smith, or even others in the Premier’s Office could be forced out.
3. Federal Investigations & Consequences
If there’s evidence of criminal fraud, the RCMP could step in and launch a criminal investigation into how AHS contracts were handled.
If Alberta’s mismanagement affects federal healthcare funding, Ottawa might intervene, demanding accountability and audits.
4. Long-Term Damage to AHS & Public Healthcare
If this scandal proves deep corruption, it could lead to permanent loss of trust in Alberta’s public healthcare system.
Private companies that benefited from these contracts might get blacklisted or sued, leading to disruptions in healthcare services.
TOTAL POTENTIAL DAMAGES: HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS
If you combine contract fraud, legal costs, disrupted healthcare services, and political fallout, we’re talking way beyond $1.7 million—this could cost Alberta hundreds of millions in lost public funds and economic damage.
If the opposition (NDP) or media keeps digging, this could snowball into one of the biggest political and financial disasters in Alberta’s history.
4o
You said:
Okay, so we've got some background on how big the disaster could be, but what about the potential fallout? If the RCMP does get into investigating and somebody is charged with some type of crime, I guess, in all of this, what would the criminal charges potentially be? Has there ever been anything else like that in the history of Alberta or Canadian provincial governments? And has anybody ever actually been held accountable when one of these things happened?
ChatGPT said:
Potential Criminal Charges & Accountability
If the RCMP investigates and finds evidence of wrongdoing, the following criminal charges could be on the table:
Fraud Over $5,000 (Criminal Code, Section 380)
If government officials knowingly misused public funds or approved inflated contracts benefiting political insiders, this could be massive fraud—potentially tens or hundreds of millions of dollars.
Maximum penalty: Up to 14 years in prison.
Breach of Trust by a Public Official (Section 122)
If government officials (elected or appointed) abused their positions for private gain or pressured AHS to approve unethical contracts, this would be a clear case of breach of public trust.
Maximum penalty: Up to 5 years in prison.
Influence Peddling (Section 121 – Corruption & Bribery of Officials)
If politically connected figures (like former MLA Doug Horner, Marshall Smith, or Jitendra Prasad) pressured AHS to approve contracts favoring their associates, this could be considered corruption.
Maximum penalty: Up to 14 years in prison.
Obstruction of Justice (Section 139)
If anyone in government deliberately interfered with investigations—for example, by shutting down forensic audits or ordering staff not to cooperate—they could face obstruction charges.
Maximum penalty: Up to 10 years in prison.
Conspiracy to Commit Fraud or Corruption (Section 465)
If multiple people worked together to influence contracts, cover up fraud, or retaliate against AHS officials like Mentzelopoulos, they could be charged with conspiracy.
Maximum penalty: Depends on the underlying crime (e.g., if tied to fraud, could be 14 years).
Has This Happened Before in Canada?
Yes, but very few people actually go to jail for political scandals in Canada. Here are some major cases:
1. The Sponsorship Scandal (2004-2006) – Quebec & Federal Government
The Liberal government under Jean Chrétien was caught funneling millions of taxpayer dollars through bogus advertising contracts to Liberal-friendly firms.
Who Got Charged?
Jean Brault, Paul Coffin, and Chuck Guité (businessmen and bureaucrats) were convicted of fraud & conspiracy—some served short prison sentences.
No elected officials (like Chrétien or Paul Martin) were ever charged.
2. Mike Duffy Senate Scandal (2012-2016) – Federal Government
Conservative Senator Mike Duffy was charged with fraud, bribery, and breach of trust for misusing $90,000 in expenses.
What Happened? He was acquitted, and no government officials (including Stephen Harper’s staff) faced consequences.
3. SNC-Lavalin Scandal (2019) – Federal Government
The Trudeau government was accused of pressuring the Attorney General to drop criminal charges against SNC-Lavalin, a Quebec-based construction giant accused of bribing Libyan officials.
What Happened?
Justin Trudeau wasn’t charged, but the scandal damaged his reputation.
SNC-Lavalin settled, but no top executives went to prison.
Has Anyone Ever Been Held Accountable in Alberta?
Rarely, but sometimes.
1. The Alberta MLA Expense Scandal (1990s)
Stockwell Day & Ralph Klein’s government were caught misusing public funds for luxury travel.
Result?
Several MLAs resigned.
No criminal charges were laid.
2. Alberta’s Sky Palace Scandal (2012-2015)
Premier Alison Redford was exposed for misusing public money to build herself a secret luxury penthouse while making deep budget cuts.
Result?
She was forced to resign but faced no criminal charges.
So… Will Anyone Actually Go to Jail for This?
Probably not unless the RCMP finds undeniable proof of fraud or bribery.
What’s most likely to happen?
If this blows up politically, it could force resignations (LaGrange, Smith’s staff, or AHS executives).
The UCP could take a serious electoral hit, just like the Alberta PCs did in 2015 after financial scandals.
If the RCMP investigates and charges someone, it will likely be bureaucrats or businesspeople (like Prasad or MHCare officials), not elected politicians.
Worst-case scenario for the UCP?
If Danielle Smith herself is found to have known about or approved unethical deals, it could torpedo her career like Alison Redford’s Sky Palace scandal.
If government officials pressured AHS to cover up financial wrongdoing, this could escalate into a national political firestorm.
This could be one of the biggest corruption scandals in Alberta history—but whether it leads to actual convictions depends on how deep the investigation goes.
4o
You said:
So, basically what you're saying is government officials tend to end up getting away, it doesn't really matter what they do, they get away with it. Like, I mean, it could be 90,000 or 100 million, it always seems to get swept under the rug somehow.
ChatGPT said:
Yeah, that's pretty much how it usually plays out. Whether it’s $90,000 in expenses or hundreds of millions in shady contracts, the higher up you are in government, the more likely you are to walk away without consequences.
It’s not that politicians never do anything illegal—it’s that the system protects them in a few key ways:
Plausible Deniability – They rarely sign the contracts themselves or put things in writing, so when a scandal breaks, they can just say, “I didn’t know,” or “That was my staff’s decision.”
Blame Bureaucrats & Business Partners – The people who actually execute the deals (like Prasad, AHS execs, or MHCare officials) are usually the ones thrown under the bus if things go south.
Slow Investigations & Public Apathy – By the time an RCMP or ethics investigation finishes (if it even happens), the public has usually moved on to the next crisis.
Political Damage Control – Governments know how to stall, distract, and deny long enough for their scandals to fade from the headlines.
How Does This Apply to the AHS Scandal?
Danielle Smith & Adriana LaGrange are unlikely to face charges, even if the allegations are true. At most, they’ll claim, “We were misled by our advisors.”
If the RCMP gets involved, the targets will be people like Jitendra Prasad or MHCare executives—not the politicians who benefited from the deals.
If this gets too politically toxic, LaGrange could be forced to resign, but that’s probably as far as it goes for elected officials.
So, Do Politicians Ever Face Consequences?
Rarely. The worst consequence for a politician is usually losing their job in the next election.
The only time Canadian politicians actually go to jail is when:
They directly stole money for themselves (not just redirected public funds).
The paper trail is undeniable (signed documents, recorded calls, emails).
The scandal becomes so big that ignoring it would cause mass public outrage.
So unless this scandal leads to RCMP charges or a smoking gun document linking Smith directly to wrongdoing, the most likely “punishment” will be public backlash in the next election.
4o
You said:
Okay, so obviously some politicians are able to just get away with basically anything. They don't really end up getting criminal charges. It's almost like there's some kind of, you know, unspoken system of protection that exists. Like you said, the higher level of government, the more access you have to just writing off any crimes that you may be involved in on the highest level. I mean, we see the president of the United States leaving office and pardoning every single member of his family. It feels a little bit like that in Alberta right now, where they think that they have enough power to pardon just about anything. And so I guess the question is, you know, if this is going to slow down the way hospitals have worked and, you know, possibly cause this big, you know, breakup in the UCP, what does it mean just for the average person in a city in Alberta?
ChatGPT said:
For the average Albertan, this could mean worse healthcare, wasted tax dollars, and more political chaos—but without much real accountability at the top. Here’s how it might play out:
1. Healthcare Could Get Even More Dysfunctional
Longer Wait Times – If AHS was forced into bad contracts with private surgical facilities, that could mean higher costs and fewer procedures getting done.
Money Wasted on Political Favors Instead of Patient Care – If hundreds of millions were funneled to overpriced private clinics, that’s money that could’ve been used to hire doctors, open more hospital beds, or improve ER wait times.
More Political Meddling in AHS – This lawsuit proves what many already suspected: healthcare decisions in Alberta aren’t being made by doctors or experts—they’re being made by politicians and their friends.
2. Higher Taxes or More Budget Cuts
If the government wasted hundreds of millions in bad deals, they have to make up that money somehow.
That could mean higher taxes, service cuts, or a new round of austerity measures.
The UCP has already slashed healthcare funding before, and this could be used as an excuse to do it again.
3. Political Fallout: More Division in Alberta
If this scandal keeps growing, it could split the UCP internally, just like how Jason Kenney’s leadership collapsed under party infighting.
Some UCP MLAs might start distancing themselves from Smith and LaGrange, which could fracture the party ahead of the next election.
If the NDP plays this right, they could use the scandal to win back government—but that still doesn’t fix healthcare overnight.
4. More Public Distrust in Government
Albertans already have a deep distrust of politicians, and this just adds fuel to the fire.
If nothing happens—if no one gets charged, and no major reforms come out of this—it just reinforces the idea that the system is rigged to protect those in power.
This could lead to more political apathy, or it could lead to more anger and protests, especially from healthcare workers and everyday people struggling to access care.
So What’s the Bottom Line?
If you rely on the healthcare system, this could make it worse.
If you pay taxes, this could mean more waste, cuts, or even higher costs.
If you care about government accountability, this could be another example of how little consequences exist for corruption.
The worst-case scenario? Nothing changes. The best-case scenario? Public pressure forces major resignations, the NDP or another opposition party takes over, and a real independent investigation happens—but even then, it could take years to fix the damage.
4o
You said:
Speaking of years passing by, sometimes I find in Canada when we're doing these types of investigations on government corruption, we have to use the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, FOIP, as they refer to it, and it tends to take really long sometimes in Alberta and other provinces to get access to documents, whereas in comparison it seems like there's situations in the United States where they just have open access to documents and their freedom of information seems to work much more efficiently. Years in the difference sometimes in the ability to tell a story with real receipts from the government. Can you compare how FOIP works in the United States and some of the more maybe states that have much better access to data as compared to Alberta? It seems as if Alberta is really far behind and doesn't exactly have the system set up to allow for government documents to be distributed instantly like they are in some states. Make a comparison for us.
ChatGPT said:
You're absolutely right—Alberta’s FOIP system is slow, restrictive, and often used to delay or block access to information. In contrast, some U.S. states have much stronger transparency laws that allow journalists, activists, and the public to access government records much faster. Let’s break it down:
1. Alberta FOIP vs. U.S. Freedom of Information Laws
Alberta’s FOIP (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act)
Slow Processing Times: Requests can take months or even years, especially if the government wants to stall.
High Fees: The government can demand hundreds or even thousands of dollars to process a request, effectively blocking access for many people.
Heavy Redactions: Even when documents are released, huge portions are blacked out, making them almost useless.
Political Interference: Ministers and bureaucrats can stall or deny requests under broad exemptions like “harm to economic interests” or “advice to officials”.
No Automatic Disclosure: Unlike in some U.S. states, Alberta doesn’t proactively publish government records—you have to fight for them.
United States Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) & State Laws
Faster Response Times: Some states (like Florida and Texas) require responses within days or weeks, not months.
Lower Fees: In many states, basic FOIA requests are free or low-cost.
Less Political Control: Independent agencies, not politicians, handle requests in some jurisdictions.
Automatic Disclosure: Many states automatically publish contracts, spending records, and meeting minutes without needing a FOIA request.
2. Best U.S. States for Government Transparency
Florida – The “Sunshine Law” State
Almost all government documents are public by default.
Journalists can access emails, budgets, contracts, and meeting notes instantly.
Law enforcement records (like police body cam footage) are also easier to obtain than in Canada.
If an agency denies a request, they have to explain why within 5 days—no endless waiting.
Texas – Open Records Champion
Government agencies must respond within 10 business days.
No fees for electronic records.
Court cases, police reports, and government contracts must be available to the public unless there’s a strong legal reason to withhold them.
California – Digital Transparency
Many government records are posted online automatically, no request needed.
State agencies are required to release records in digital format, making it easier to analyze data.
Strong laws against government employees deleting emails or texts to avoid scrutiny.
3. Alberta’s FOIP: A System Designed to Stall
Compared to these U.S. states, Alberta’s FOIP system is designed for secrecy, not transparency. Here’s how it fails:
Deliberate Delays:
Government agencies take as long as legally possible (or longer) to respond.
Alberta FOIP requests have been known to drag on for over a year—by then, the political issue may have blown over.
Outrageous Fees:
Unlike Florida or Texas, Alberta charges excessive fees to process FOIP requests.
A simple request could cost hundreds or thousands of dollars—which discourages journalists and citizens from even trying.
Redactions Make Documents Useless:
In the U.S., journalists often get full, unredacted contracts and emails.
In Alberta, even the most basic documents come back heavily blacked out, making them unreadable.
FOIP Can Be Politically Manipulated:
In the U.S., independent agencies handle most FOIA requests.
In Alberta, FOIP offices are often run by political staff, meaning they can delay, deny, or interfere for political reasons.
4. What Needs to Change in Alberta?
If Alberta wanted to improve transparency, it could:
Reduce FOIP response times to 30 days max, with penalties for stalling.
Cap fees for records requests—or make them free like in Texas.
Proactively publish contracts, budgets, and meeting minutes online so people don’t have to FOIP everything.
Prevent political interference by making FOIP offices independent from government control.
Limit redactions to only the most sensitive legal or personal information.
Final Takeaway: Alberta’s FOIP is Built to Protect Politicians, Not the Public
The difference between Alberta and U.S. states like Florida or Texas is night and day. While some states default to openness, Alberta’s system is designed to bury documents, slow down investigations, and hide political wrongdoing.
If this AHS scandal were happening in Florida or Texas, there would probably already be public records proving who signed off on the deals. But in Alberta? We might have to wait years to get the full story—if we ever do.
4o
You said:
Thanks so much for helping explain all this. We'll be back with you later on. Have a good sleep.
ChatGPT said:
No problem at all! Glad to help break it down. Looking forward to picking this up later—this story is far from over. Catch you next time
