An Archbold Medical Center internal investigation into submissions to a state agency found improper conduct by only one person, according to a February 2008 Archbold press release.

The individual, William Sellers, who had been suspended, submitted his resignation immediately.

The investigation did not find improper conduct by any other individual, according to the 2008 release.

On Wednesday, a Valdosta U.S. District Court jury found Ken Beverly, retired Archbold Medical Center president and CEO, guilty of six counts in connection with forged documents submitted to the Georgia Department of Community Health for receipt of supplemental Medicaid funding of about $12 million.

 In late 2007 and 2008, Sellers told lawyers investigating suspicions about the fictitious City of Thomasville Hospital Authority meeting minutes that Beverly was aware of the documents and knew they were sent to the state.

Trial testimony showed Sellers agreed to answer only four questions during a meeting with Archbold lawyers. Sellers’ legal counsel accompanied him to the meeting, which was held at a Thomasville law firm.

“At the time, we didn’t have complete and full access to Bill Sellers during the investigations,” Perry Mustian, current Archbold Medical Center president and CEO, said.

Sellers entered guilty pleas to three counts and testified against Beverly at the recent eight-day Valdosta U.S. District Court trial. The former CFO is awaiting sentencing.

Testimony showed that Archbold, which reported the ill-gotten funding to the state, has set aside $15 million to repay the money.

When asked if Archbold will take legal action to recoup the money, Mustian said, “We will be evaluating all of the ramifications of this decision in the near future.”

  Mustian said Archbold will continue to focus on meeting the community’s health-care needs “and our tradition of providing excellent patient care.”

“This has certainly been an unfortunate situation for the individuals, the hospital and the community to endure, and we regret that this occurred. We are glad to have the trial behind us, and we respect the decision of the jury and our justice system,” Mustian said.

A sentencing date has not been set for Beverly. He and Sellers are subject to maximum penalties of 20 years prison and $250,000 fines on each count. Two counts on which Beverly was found guilty each carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.