The CEO of BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina resigned Wednesday, less than four months after he was charged in an alcohol-related traffic incident and after new details about the night in question came to light.
Patrick Conway, 45, resigned, effective immediately, despite the company’s board previously acknowledging it knew about the charges — and requesting Conway stay aboard as president and CEO.
But on Wednesday, Mike Causey, the North Carolina insurance commissioner, called for Conway’s resignation following new revelations about the car accident that happened on Interstate 95 in Randolph County on June 22.
Conway was driving with two of his children in the car when he was filmed allegedly weaving between lanes and sideswiping a tractor-trailer. He was charged with driving while impaired and misdemeanor child abuse.
BlueCross BlueShield said in a statement issued before Conway’s resignation Wednesday that Conway told the board of the incident, and the board reviewed the situation. The members stated that, because of Conway’s “strong leadership,” he would continue to serve as CEO and president.
I am a person of deep honesty and integrity. Anyone who knows me has witnessed that over the course of my life and career. I hope that I and anyone could be judged on the totality of their character and thousands of great days instead of one horrible day.
— Patrick Conway (@PatrickConwayMD) September 26, 2019
Unfortunately, I have been “tried and convicted” in the media. Including much information that I had never seen before Tuesday (2 days ago). Some true, some not true, and some misinformation. I was trying to follow the standard legal process related to the charges
— Patrick Conway (@PatrickConwayMD) September 26, 2019
But in a follow-up statement, the board noted that “new details have come to light, particularly notes from the arresting officers and contents from their investigative files of which the board was unaware,” leading the members to request Conway’s resignation.
It wasn’t immediately clear what the specific details were but, according to WRAL, after Conway was taken to the police station, he was “absolutely belligerent” and refused a breathalyzer test. Investigators wrote in a report Conway “had to be shackled to deter him from kicking the holding cell door.”
I have worked on mental and behavioral health issues for years as part of a better health system for all. I will continue my mission to change health care in America for the better. I have been honored to help millions of people over my career. Nothing can diminish that.
— Patrick Conway (@PatrickConwayMD) September 26, 2019
Conway also allegedly told the arresting officer: “You had a choice. You could have let me go. You don’t know who I am. I am a doctor, a CO of a company. I’ll call Governor [Roy] Cooper and get you in trouble.”
The former BlueCross BlueShield CEO tweeted on Thursday he’s “ashamed, embarrassed and sorry” about his actions, and said he’s “never had an incident like this before.”
A hearing for Conway is scheduled for Oct. 8.
