NYC Health Execs Named in Federal Bribery Case

Two New York City healthcare executives, a gynecologist, and a healthcare consultant are among eight people charged with bribery, conspiracy, fraud, and related offenses for their alleged roles in an influence peddling scheme involving three state legislators, federal prosecutors said.

The U.S. Attorneys' Office in New York last week unsealed the complaint against Democratic State Sen. Carl Kruger, who is alleged to have taken more than $1 million in bribes from several co-defendants named in the indictment, including David Rosen, the CEO of MediSys Health Network, Robert Aquino, the former CEO of Parkway Hospital in Queens, NY, and Solomon Kalish, a healthcare consultant.

Rosen is also charged with paying more than $390,000 in bribes to former New York State Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio, and $177,000 in bribes to New York State Assemblyman William Boyland, prosecutors said.

Michael Turano, MD, a Manhattan-based gynecologist and a family friend of Kruger, is charged with laundering Kruger's bribes through two shell companies.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said the federal case details "an unholy alliance of politicians, lobbyists, and businessmen."

"Every single time we arrest a state senator or assemblyman, it should be a jarring wake-up call. Instead, it seems that no matter how many times the alarm goes off, Albany just hits the snooze button," Bharara said. "Maybe this time they will get the message."