The former CEO of the hospital in Macomb did not walk away from the job empty-handed.
The separation agreement between McDonough District Hospital and Brian Dietz pays him $325,000, part of which will go toward Dietz’s legal expenses.
Tri States Public Radio obtained the agreement by filing a Freedom of Information Act request after the chair of the hospital’s board declined to provide details.
The hospital will pay $108,333.33 to Abrahamson Rdzanek & Wilkins, LLC, who served as Dietz’s attorneys.
Dietz will get the remaining $216,666.67. He will receive it in ten equal payments, which will be made on the hospital’s regular pay dates.
In exchange, Dietz must agree not to take legal action against MDH, according to the agreement.
Dietz was suspended with pay in late December after hospital board members and community leaders received numerous anonymous letters from hospital employees.
They complained Dietz’s leadership style created a toxic work environment.
His pay at the time was $550,000.
The separation agreement said Dietz’s last day of active employment at MDH was Dec. 28, 2023, and that he resigned at the close of business on Feb. 20, 2024.
Dietz signed the agreement on Feb. 19. MDH Board Chairperson Jere Greuel signed it the following evening.
TSPR also requested reports and correspondence from the hospital legal counsel’s investigation into Dietz’s conduct.
The hospital declined that request, saying those are “subject to attorney client and attorney work product privileges, were discussed only during the closed session of MDH Board of Directors meetings, and therefore will not be released.”
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