AG: Fine "sufficient" for hospital CEO

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is calling "sufficient" a decision by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center to fine its chief executive officer Paul Levy $50,000 for having a personal relationship with a former female employee.

Coakley said top officials and board members were aware of the relationship as early at 2003 and damage to the hospital's reputation could have been limited if action had been taken earlier.

Although her review found no evidence of misuse of charitable funds, Coakley said the performance reviews and compensation for the employee will always be subject to the perception that they were influenced by her relationship with Levy.

The hospital had asked for the review to reassure employees and patients.

Levy has already issued an apology.