The Observation Deck

In 2007 Lakewood Hospital had $32.9 million in cash and short term investments.
In 2008 Lakewood Hospital had $5.4 million in cash and short term investments.

There was no large decrease in debt.
There was no large increase in long term assets.
The decline in cash was attributed to a loss on investments and listed as a line item on the income statement.
The notes to the financial statements report that the cash and cash equivalents are invested in money markets.

How does a money market lose 84% of its value in one year?

Great question. Will anyone step up and answer or will it be just like the parking garage revenue that no one can account for?

...and Ms. Madigan wonders why the citizenry think that someone is "on the take".

2008 did usher in a crash of sorts, but not an 84% crash! Way too much $ has gone "missing, unaccounted for" to not think someone's making out like a bandit.