A former healthcare executive who ran hospitals in Queens and Brooklyn was convicted Monday in a massive corruption case involving a state senator and two assemblymen.
The case against well-paid ex-hospital CEO David Rosen linked him in a pay-to-play conspiracy to Sen. Carl Kruger, Assemblyman William Boyland and the late Assemblyman Tony Seminerio.
Rosen, who was the first to be tried, formerly ran Jamaica Hospital, Flushing Hospital and Brookdale University Hospital. His lawyer described him as a "hero" who helped to bring health care to poor neighborhoods - but prosecutors said he crossed the line into dirty dealing.
During last month's bench trial, the U.S. Attorney's office charged Rosen with paying off the three elected officials in return for a promise of better treatment from Albany lawmakers.
"This is a sad, even tragic case," Federal District Judge Jed Rakoff wrote in his decision. "It reveals how a widely admired hospital administrator who diligently sought to better the health care of impoverished communities nonetheless chose to entangle himself in the bribing of state legislators."
Two of the counts against Rosen directly connected Seminerio, Kruger and Boyland to what the judge called a "quid pro quo" agreement. Seminerio, who previously pleaded guilty to related corruption charges, died in prison in January.
The three lawmakers and Rosen were "involved in a corrupt agreement or conspiracy ... with a specific intent to bribe the legislators and thereby deprive their constituents of their honest services," the judge wrote.
"If there were any doubt about the pervasive nature of public corruption in Albany, today's multi-count conviction of David Rosen should put it to rest once and for all," U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said.
"While this verdict is a very sad commentary on the state of affairs in Albany, it also should send a clear message that we will pursue those who violate the public trust and hold them to account."
Rosen, 63, chose a bench trial over a jury trial. The judge's 40-page decision, released Monday, convicted him of five counts of mail and wire fraud as well as conspiracy and conspiring to commit bribery.
Rosen's legal team said they are exploring his legal remedies. "David Rosen is devastated by the court's findings," his lawyer, Scott Morvillo, wrote in an emailed statement to the Daily News. "He consistently strived to ensure access to quality healthcare to the challenged communities in Queens and Brooklyn."
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