The Otago District Health Board has begun "discussions" about a fraud insurance claim, but chief executive Brian Rousseau is remaining tight-lipped about the details.
When asked yesterday if an insurance claim had been made, Mr Rousseau said via a spokeswoman: "Discussions are ongoing about the insurance and are confidential."
The board is insured for losses of up to $5 million.
The board's former chief information officer, Michael Swann, and his co-accused Kerry Harford were jailed on Wednesday for nine years and six months, and four years and three months, respectively, for defrauding the board of $16.9 million between 2000 and 2006.
Suspected fraud at the board first became publicly known in October 2006. Documents obtained by the Otago Daily Times show the board increased its fidelity insurance from $2 million to $5 million in July 2006.
Mr Rousseau said all 21 district health boards had increased their insurance at the same time as part of a national contract and would not discuss the matter any further.
After Swann and Harford were found guilty last December, Mr Rousseau said the board would lodge an insurance claim for losses incurred as a result of the fraud.
