LSU says an internal audit of U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy’s medical teaching at its Health Sciences Center in New Orleans determined the new Republican senator delivered the services for which he was paid.
As The Associated Press reports, it was during last year’s Senate race that Democratic incumbent Mary Landrieu accused Cassidy of collecting a $20,000, taxpayer-funded annual salary for doing little work. Cassidy, a liver specialist, has denied wrongdoing and says he provided the services for which he was paid. Cassidy handily defeated Landrieu in the December runoff election.
Though LSU says gaps existed in Cassidy’s timesheets, the audit released today says the timesheets weren’t used for payroll purposes under the senator’s work agreement.
“Although Dr. Cassidy’s effort was not adequately document by the Health Sciences Center, sufficient facts and information exist to conclude that Dr. Cassidy provided services equal to at least that of his compensation for his part-time educational work.”
Cassidy is on unpaid leave from LSU. It isn’t clear whether he’ll return now that he’s a senator. However, in a letter attached to the audit from Cassidy to Dr. Larry Hollier, who serves dual roles as chancellor of LSU Health Sciences Center at New Orleans and dean of its School of Medicine, the senator says: “For the past 25 years, it has been a privilege to serve Louisiana as a teaching physician with LSUHSC. I look forward to continuing my relationship with LSUHSC pending approval from the U.S. Senate.”
