Brockton hospital chief on leave amid probe

Norman B. Goodman, chief executive of Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital, is on leave from his job pending an investigation into "allegations of inappropriate behavior," according to the hospital's board of trustees.

In a statement, the 17-member board did not disclose the nature of the allegations or say who was conducting the investigation.

"Given the ongoing nature of this investigation and the board's commitment to providing a fair process to all concerned, we cannot furnish any other details at this time," the board said in the three-paragraph statement. The investigation, which the hospital said was being done independently, is expected to take up to 10 days. But it is not clear when it started, when Goodman was placed on leave, and whether he is being paid during his time off.

Goodman was not at his Easton home today, according to a man who answered the phone at the house.

The hospital executive, who has headed Brockton's second-largest employer since 1990, earned $950,780 in compensation and benefits and had a $26,000 expense account, according to records filed in 2007, the most recent year available.

Hospital spokeswoman Karen Blomquist declined to comment on Goodman's leave of absence beyond what was released in the statement.

Neither Patti Roland, chair of Signature Healthcare's board of trustees, nor David R. Wolohojian, the vice chair could be reached for comment today.
(By Erin Ailworth, Globe staff)