Former Erlanger employee to get his day in court

Friday, January 1, 1904

photo Chattanooga's Erlanger Hospital is seen in this aerial file photo.
photo Patrick Kellogg is seen in this file photo.

A former Erlanger employee who is accusing the health system's board of breaking state open meeting laws will have his day in court - but it may be too late.

Patrick Kellogg filed motions last week asking a Hamilton County Circuit Court judge to keep the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Hospital Authority board of trustees from moving forward with the selection of Kevin Spiegel as the organization's next chief executive.

He will make his case March 11 during a hearing on an amended motion he filed Thursday.

Also Thursday, the Erlanger board approved Spiegel's three-year, $680,000-a-year contract.

Kellogg, who is not an attorney, said Friday he still is preparing for court.

"I've been researching to overturn what I think will be the defense's argument. ... I'm just hoping my ducks are in a row," Kellogg said.

Kellogg's motions allege that Spiegel's selection should be voided because he claims the Erlanger board broke open meeting laws while discussing candidates for the position.

He claims four closed-door meetings held in December, January and February did not qualify to be private under the law.

In his filings, Kellogg also alleges Erlanger has violated open records laws by failing to turn over to him requested meeting minutes, emails and other documents related to the CEO search.

The March 11 hearing will be one of many motion hearings held that day by the court.

It is Kellogg's hope that a judge will sign an injunction order he plans to file before the hearing.

Pat Charles, Erlanger spokeswoman, said legal counsel is reviewing the filing and could not comment further.