Overview

• Dr. Michael Lucchesi received a one-to-three-year prison term on August 6 after pleading guilty to first-degree grand larceny
• Prosecutors found that Lucchesi embezzled about $1.44 million from December 2016 to January 2023 by using hospital credit cards for personal costs
• Investigators detailed lavish spending that included $176,000 on pet care, $348,000 on travel and $109,000 on gym memberships and training
• A state Office of the Inspector General audit prompted Lucchesi’s July 2024 indictment and highlighted failures in financial oversight
• Under his plea agreement, Lucchesi must repay $720,000 to Downstate and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance and the hospital has since strengthened its internal controls