The former top doctor at SUNY Downstate Medical Center who stole nearly $1.5 million from the public hospital will spend up to three years in prison — after he was sentenced following his admission to using the stolen funds to fuel his extravagant lifestyle.
Dr. Michael Lucchesi, 67, was sentenced to one to three years in prison in Brooklyn Supreme Court Wednesday after he admitted to stealing approximately $1.44 million from the hospital to make personal purchases for travel, his children’s college tuition and a whopping $176,000 on pet care.
Lucchesi, of Staten Island, appeared in court in a disheveled blue sweatshirt and jeans — and declined to speak when given the opportunity before he was sentenced by Judge Danny Chun.
The former top medical doc, who was the Chairman of Emergency Medicine at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, carried out his scheme between December 2016 and January 2023 by making personal purchases with a credit card meant to be used only for business purposes, according to Brooklyn prosecutors.
Lucchesi racked up charges on the business card by pampering his pooch, spending $176,000 on pet care — which included a $120,000 bill paid to The Greenleaf Pet Resort & Hotel in New Jersey, where amenities include private doggy swim lessons, according to court docs.
Prosecutors say he also charged $348,000 to the company card to fund his personal travel — and spent $92,000 on sporting events, concerts and Broadway shows.
He even used the money to hit the gym, stealing $109,000 to pay for a New York Sports Club membership and personal training, according to prosecutors.
Lucchesi pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree grand larceny on June 13.
As part of the plea deal, Lucchesi also agreed to pay $720,000 in restitution, which included payments to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance and Downstate Hospital.
“This defendant was entrusted with a leadership role at a critical Brooklyn medical institution and violated that trust by stealing nearly $1.5 million,” Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said in a statement.
He added: “SUNY Downstate does vital, lifesaving work, and these stolen funds could have been used to support patient care and medical services. Instead, they were diverted for personal expenses over a period of years.”
Lucchesi’s attorney, Earl Ward, said after the sentencing that Lucchesi will move past the conviction.
“The only thing I’ll say is, the legacy of Dr. Lucchesi will be the 25 years of noble work for the Brooklyn community,” Ward said.
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