Service Employees International Union Local 521 accuses the Kern County Hospital Authority of overpaying two private consulting firms by some $23 million during the last four years, then taking steps afterward to shield the payments from public scrutiny. The union says it has asked for, but never received, a detailed explanation for the retroactive contract increase beyond a statement by Kern Medical CEO Scott Thygerson that all the disputed payments to CMG were made in accordance with the terms of payment for services rendered.
