By Hank Russell
Citing her opponent’s relationship with the hospital’s former chief executive officer, District Attorney candidate Nicole Aloise called on incumbent DA Anne Donnelly to appoint an independent special prosecutor to look into Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC). Megan Ryan, NUMC’s ex-CEO, filed a lawsuit against her former employer.
According to Aloise, a Democrat, Ryan is accused of stealing more than $1 million in wrongful payouts, destroying evidence, and reimbursing herself for a made-up trip to Chicago. The New York Post reported that NUMC is suing Ryan for $10 million in damages, accusing her of using her position to enrich herself and filing frivolous lawsuits against the state, among others.
NUMC was the center of controversy earlier this year. As previously reported in Long Island Life & Politics, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman held a press conference in June blasting Governor Kathy Hochul for appointing new board members of the Nassau Health Care Corporation (NHCC) — which oversees the NUMC — and called the governor’s move “a power grab.”
A spokesperson for Ryan told the Post that the lawsuit was “frivolous” and “in retaliation for” Ryan learning of “the State’s massive Medicaid fraud scheme.”
Donnelly, a Republican, is currently investigating the medical center, but Aloise said Donnelly has a conflict of interest. Aloise said Ryan isn’t just an acquaintance to Donnelly, but a political ally who has donated thousands of dollars to her campaign.
“While taxpayers were being fleeced, Donnelly was cashing checks from the very people accused of looting the hospital. Her inaction and lack of oversight in response to this corruption at NUMC is at best, gross negligence, and at worst, outright complicity from the District Attorney,” said Aloise’s campaign manager, Ellen McCormick.
Two weeks ago, Aloise held a press conference demanding that Anne Donnelly do her job and launch a proper investigation into the blatant corruption at NUMC, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability.
“Anne Donnelly continues to demonstrate that she cannot put the law above her political relationships,” Aloise said. “Nassau County residents deserve accountability, which is why she must appoint an independent special prosecutor to fully investigate the NUMC corruption scandal and ensure everyone involved is held accountable.”
LILP reached out to Donnelly’s office. A spokesperson said the office cannot comment because the investigation is still ongoing.
LILP also reached out to NUMC, but did not hear back as of press time.