By: Brendan Scott
Source: classroomextra.com
Editor’s Note:
In view of Novello’s guilty plea to a felony, we would expect that she would resign her post as Vice President of Florida Hospital in Orlando, immediately, failing which she should be relieved of it.
Dr. Antonia C. Novello, Vice President at Florida Hospital in Orlando and Ex-Surgeon General pleaded guilty Friday morning in an Albany County Court, to fraud.
Novello was charged with using a state employee as her personal chauffeur and making her underlings undertake personal errands, including buy groceries, water plants and move heavy furniture around in her apartment in New York, sometimes on overtime.
In court Friday, Novello was asked by Albany County Judge Stephen Herrick whether she had intended to defraud the state.
After a pause, she said, “Yes, your honor.”
Novello made no further comment.
The deal brokered by Novello’s attorneys will allow her to avoid jail time.  However, she’ll have to serve 250 hours of community service at a health clinic and pay the state $22,500 in restitution and a $5,000 fine. The charge is a felony.
Novello will not have to give up her physician’s license.
She’s due back in court on Aug. 14 for formal sentencing.
Former Health Commissioner Pleads Guilty
