Judge says fraud tainted hospital pact Court sides with GE; county objects

The bidding process for a $50 million job at the new Cook CountyHospital was undermined by fraud, a federal magistrate foundWednesday.

The blunt decision from U.S. Magistrate Judge Geraldine Soat Brownfound that DD Industries, a joint venture of Siemens Medical Systemsand politically connected Faustech Industries, defrauded the countywhen it submitted its bid for high-tech radiology equipment in 1999.

The judge found that Siemens joined with minority contractorFaustech only for its political access to Cook County Board memberswho had final say on hospital contracts. The joint venture did notmeet the county's standards for minority contractors.

And the judge …