Co. run by Frist's brother made $630m deal 2 days before he became leader

[Roland99]

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Family_company_of_Senate_leader_made_0929.html

The Senate’s plaintive Southern physician -- envisioned as the Republicans’ antidote to a seemingly racist Trent Lott -- is hemorrhaging political capital. The doctor who so memorably assuaged a terrified nation in the wake of the 2001 anthrax attacks is now dancing to a dangerous duet of swirling stock probes.

<...>

Just two days before Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS) stepped down as Majority Leader in 2002, the company Frist's father started quietly settled a massive Medicare fraud lawsuit for $630 million. The eleventh-hour deal – brokered with Justice Department attorneys after a seven-year court battle – was made as Frist (R-TN) secured the necessary votes to assume the Senate’s top post.

Those close to the case tell RAW STORY that top HCA executives were scheduled to be deposed the following month. Frist’s brother, Thomas Jr., would have been forced to go on the record during the opening days of the senator’s tenure as leader.

The timing of the agreement could raise further questions about Frist’s ties to the company. Given that the Justice Department had been investigating HCA since 1993 – some 120 months – the coincidence of a settlement date so close to Frist’s leadership election is striking.

[LisaM]

1. When did Frist memorably assuage the nation?

I don't remember that at all.

[Roland99]

2. I was too busy duct-taping my windows.

[Bridget Burke]

4. The same time Bush was comforting us about 9/11.

That is: NEVER!

[ernstbass]

3. Drip drip drip

[BR_Parkway]

5. I read "plaintive" as "plaintiff" and got my hopes up for more

indictments. Oh well, another few days won't kill me to wait. MAybe Fitz will be pulling some stuff out. Or maybe he'll wait until Oct 28, the last day of the GJ like they did for our good friend and indicted conspirator - Delay (no more)

[FreedomAngel82]

6. More just keeps coming out about this company and Frist

[clydefrand]

7. Interesting statement by R-Grassley, don't you think?

At the end of the day, when the settlement was finally approved, Republican senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), asserted that the $1.7 billion deal hardly covered the awesome fraud perpetuated by HCA.

Repugs = fraud, corruption, deceit

[indepat]

8. Settled for pennies on the dollar?

[Roland99]

9. Why was the settlement accepted then?