SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A former Santa Fe hospital executive has pleaded guilty to conspiracy and fraud charges but will avoid jail time as part of a plea agreement with the state Attorney General's office.
Richard Crabtree also agreed to repay St. Vincent Hospital, now known as Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center, for losses it suffered in a scheme he allegedly ran with a former girlfriend to receive kickbacks from her brothers in a computer upgrade contract.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports (http://bit.ly/WvF2K7 ) Crabtree declined to comment after his plea Wednesday. His attorney told the Albuquerque Journal the agreement served the public and his clients' interests because it requires restitution.
His former girlfriend also was set to change her plea Wednesday but that was delayed until next month.