FL Hospital Vendors Sentenced in Bribery Scheme

In exchange, Osman awarded inflated contracts to the vendors that concealed the value of the services they provided for him, federal prosecutors said.

Prosecutors described a "nearly identical kickback scheme" that involved former "team leaders" Elliot Gordon and Anthony Merola at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, FL. Both men pleaded guilty last year and are now serving prison sentences. Osman is scheduled to be sentenced on June 1, along with former vendor Robert Andrei, 70, of Davie.

Kerting Baldwin, a spokeswoman for Memorial Healthcare System, said the provider fully cooperated with the investigation. "The United States Attorney's Office has commended our management and security personnel for their assistance in this investigation," Baldwin said. "Ever since we discovered irregularities in the Plant Engineering Department and turned over the case to the proper authorities, we have been proactive with all of the investigating agencies to bring this case to conclusion."