A state agency says Larned State Hospital officials weren’t aware the man hired as the hospital’s chief financial officer in 2015 was the focus of an internal federal investigation.

David Fender joined the hospital in 2015, shortly after serving a year as chief financial officer for the Government National Mortgage Association. Kansas announced Fender’s departure in August when it launched a hospital audit.

A federal inspector general’s report provided to The Wichita Eagle (http://j.mp/2cR9ATe) shows an investigation found Fender potentially committed criminal violations by using his public office for private gain and making false statements to the government. He wasn’t charged.

A state agency spokeswoman says Larned didn’t know about the federal investigation when Fender was hired. Fender didn’t return calls from the Eagle or The Associated Press.

—
Information from: The Wichita (Kan.) Eagle, http://www.kansas.com.