Judge rejects attorney general's attempt to block sale of O'Connor and St. Louise Hospitals

A Los Angeles bankruptcy judge has denied a request by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to block the sale of O’Connor Hospital and St. Louise Regional Hospital to Santa Clara County, ruling Becerra doesn’t have the authority to regulate the deal. The judge’s action means the county can move forward with closing the $235 million deal with Verity Health Systems on March 4, although the county believes the attorney general could still request an order from a federal district court to block the sale.