Rootenberg wanted Tim Murphy terminated

Shaun Rootenberg's lawsuit against Algoma Public Health claims he objected to the employment of Tim Murphy as a "full-time puppeteer" and tried unsuccessfully to get the popular entertainer terminated.

Rootenberg's statement of claim, which has not been tested in court, alleges the health unit paid Murphy $75,000 a year and also spent "upwards of $57,000 to build a theatre on site for the puppeteer."

Murphy was also given $15,000 for puppets, the lawsuit contends.

Rootenberg's civil suit also claims that members of the APH board were given expensive computers and tablets and were reminbursed for their home internet, but were not required to return the devices after they were no longer board members.

"Rootenberg brought this to attention of the board whom were not pleased that they were required to return laptops, tablets and the like back to Algoma Public Health when they were no longer board members," the lawsuit states.

Rootenberg's lawsuit states he first met Dr. Kim Barker in July,  2013.

Dr. Barker started on the APH payroll on July 15 of that year, with her predecessor Dr. Allan Northan staying on the job until August 1 to ensure an orderly transition.

Rootenberg states that it was he who introduced Barker to Ron Hulse, the executive recruiter who later suggested that Rootenberg be retained as interim chief financial officer.

Hulse was aware of Rootenberg's previous fraud convictions, the suit confirms.

Rootenberg also says he raised several concerns about KPMG's role and work as APH's auditors, but the APH board failed to act on his recommendations.

"There was a clear conflict between KPMG being auditors and also conducting forensic investigations on their own work when it was in fact KPMG that had missed the fraud....for over seven years," Rootenberg's statement of claim said.

Rootenberg further claims to have raised concern about alleged handling of clients' prescription drugs and cash.

He says his performance at the health unit was lauded by senior representatives from Group Health Centre, Sault College, Riversedge Developments and the City of Sault Ste. Marie, as well as APH's lawyers.

"In fact, when Rootenberg's contract ended, he was asked by the board of Algoma Public Health to agree to a three-month extension of his contract in order to mentor and transition responsibilities to the new chief financial officer, Justin Pino," the lawsuit states.

(PHOTO: Timothy Murphy, seen on Saturday, July 18 at the 94th Annual Rotaryfest Community Day Parade. Donna Hopper/SooToday.)