MetroHealth CEO, Akram Boutros paid himself bonuses worth $1.9M for over four years, fired

While appreciating the remarkable contribution of Dr. Boutros to MetroHealth Hospitals and the community, the board terminated Dr. Boutros’s services on Monday night. The termination is a result of an outside investigation that revealed unauthorized bonuses taken by Dr. Boutros over four years. Boutros, however, have indicated taking legal action over the firing.

A new style of performance evaluation

In a rare incidence of setting performance metrics for self-assessment, MetroHealth clarified that Boutros conducted self-evaluation as per the defined metrics. This led to a calculation of bonuses of over $1.9 million between 2017 and 2021 based on his (Boutros) performance. However, the MetroHealth board never approved such evaluation and subsequent reward. Therefore, the payments also were made to Boutros without the board's knowledge.

A forthcoming legal battle

Boutros, meanwhile, has decided to move to court over his termination. An attorney for One of Boutros's attorneys said that Metro health's action was retaliatory since Boutros had exposed the board's improper activities and misconduct in the hiring of a new CEO.

The matter is now with the Ohio ethics commission since Boutros has refunded $2.1 million as a bonus and interest.

FAQs

1. Can a CEO decide on performance metrics for himself?
A corporate enterprise designs its policies and rules within the overall parameter of the governmental framework. A CEO can finalize evaluation parameters in consultation with the board.

2. Where are MetroHealth hospitals located?
Metro health employs over 8,000 people in four hospitals and several Care centers in and around Cleveland, United States.