Reacting to what it believes is a vendetta against Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan, Vista Health Systems sued Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek Tuesday while seeking an independent investigation into the death of hospital patient Chelsea Adolphus of Waukegan.
Vista CEO Kevin M. Spiegel said Wednesday the lawsuit is asking the court to immediately remove Banek from any investigation into Adolphus’ death. The woman was found unresponsive on the hospital’s second-floor roof.
“We are asking for a temporary restraining order against the coroner,” Spiegel said in an interview. “She has stepped outside her scope as an elected official. She has had a previous vendetta against the hospital for the past year.”
Spiegel said Vista filed its lawsuit against Banek asking the court to prevent her from continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Adolphus’ death so it can be done independently and objectively and bring closure to her family.
“Vista expects a thorough, fair and unbiased investigation to be conducted in order to bring clarity and closure to this heartbreaking situation,” Spiegel said in remarks prepared for a Wednesday news conference. “Our thoughts remain with the patient’s family, friends and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
For the past year, Spiegel said Banek has posted critical and “false” remarks about the hospital on a dedicated social media page after she was relieved of her duties as a nurse anesthetist at Vista.
Attempts to reach Banek were unsuccessful.
