South Brooklyn Health under investigation for overtime payment issues and the resale of equipment.
South Brooklyn Health, formerly known as Coney Island Hospital, is undergoing a thorough investigation concerning a series of serious allegations, ranging from potential overtime abuse by staff to improper selling of medical equipment last reported by Media News Source. This inquiry, conducted by the city’s Department of Investigation (DOI) in collaboration with the Brooklyn United States Attorney’s office, commenced several months ago due to a meeting involving multiple employees of the city’s Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC).
The allegations originated from whistleblowers within the institution, who outlined a range of concerns that have yet to be verified. Among the accusations is the improper exploitation of overtime by HHC police and private security personnel, along with claims that at least two HHC officers are residing in New Jersey, which reportedly contravenes state law for city officers. These allegations also highlight staffing challenges posed by a private contractor, which may leave critical scanning stations at the hospital unstaffed at times, potentially jeopardizing the safety and efficiency of hospital operations.
In addition, the whistleblowers have claimed that certain HHC officials have engaged in unauthorized sales of portable X-ray machines subsequently replaced by new units funded through a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant. These allegations underscore concerns about the ethical management of hospital resources at a time when South Brooklyn Health—a facility recently enhanced with substantial federal funding—faces increasing scrutiny.
The DOI and the Eastern District remain tight-lipped regarding the ongoing investigations, neither confirming nor denying the circumstances leading to their scrutiny. Mitchell Katz, the president of HHC, has not responded to inquiries concerning these serious claims.
Of particular note is the issue concerning the staffing of metal detectors by the private security company, Arrow Security. While previous complaints indicated that a security station was unmanned, Arrow’s CEO conveyed that two guards have been consistently assigned to a single metal detector around the clock since April 2024. Arrow Security, which has maintained a presence at South Brooklyn Health since March 2022, asserts that it takes allegations of overtime abuse seriously, having recently dismissed a guard involved in fraudulent overtime claims.
The alleged improper sales of medical equipment trace back to 2023, coinciding with the inauguration of the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hospital, constructed with a budget of 3 million sourced from FEMA funding. Following the hospital’s expansion, two officials were reportedly investigated for their alleged involvement in the unauthorized sale of outdated equipment, having left the institution months apart. Christopher Miller, a spokesperson for HHC, confirmed that these two officials departed from the hospital but did not provide a broader commentary addressing the allegations raised by whistleblowers.
As investigations unfold, South Brooklyn Health remains in the spotlight, raising questions about operational integrity and accountability in the management of critical healthcare resources.
