Former Head of SUNY Downstate Medical Center Sentenced to Up to Three Years in State Prison Following Inspector General Investigation

 

Dr. Michael Lucchesi Stole Nearly $1.5 Million in State Funds for Extravagant Personal Expenses Including Luxury Pet Care, Personal Travel, Event Tickets, and more

New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced the sentencing of Dr. Michael Lucchesi, former Chairman of Emergency Medicine at SUNY Downstate Medical Center and former head of Downstate Hospital and Medical School, for stealing approximately $1.44 million in state funds through the use of a hospital credit card. 
 
Lucchesi, 67, of Staten Island, who previously pled guilty to one count of first-degree grand larceny on June 13, 2025, was sentenced today to a state prison term of one to three years. As part of his negotiated plea, Lucchesi made restitution in the amount of $720,000, which included $63,926 to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance and $656,074 to SUNY Downstate’s clinical practice. 
 
Following a referral from SUNY, the Inspector General’s investigation revealed that between December 2016 and January 2023, Lucchesi used a state-issued credit card, intended solely for official SUNY Downstate clinical practice expenses, to make approximately $1.44 million in personal purchases. 
 
Lucchesi’s egregious theft of state funds included cash advances of approximately $115,000; pet care totaling $176,000 (including $120,000 paid to a New Jersey based pet resort & hotel); $348,000 spent on personal travel; $109,000 in payments to the New York Sports Club for membership and personal training; $92,000 for premium seating for sporting events, concerts and Broadway shows; $52,000 in catering expenses; $46,000 in tuition payments for his children; and additional payments for online shopping, flowers, liquor, electronics, and other items. 
 
“Public institutions like SUNY Downstate exist to serve New Yorkers in need – not to bankroll the luxury lifestyle of a doctor entrusted with caring for our state’s most vulnerable communities,” said New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang. “Today’s sentencing serves as a stark warning to any public servant who would abuse their position of trust for personal gain. Thank you to my team and to District Attorney Gonzalez and his staff for their partnership in combatting public corruption and holding those in positions of authority accountable.” 
 
“This defendant was entrusted with a leadership role at a critical Brooklyn medical institution and violated that trust by stealing nearly $1.5 million,” said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. “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. With today’s sentence, the defendant is being held accountable for this serious breach of trust. We remain committed to protecting public institutions from fraud and abuse, and I commend our prosecutors, along with our partners in the Inspector General’s Office and the Department of Taxation and Finance, for their outstanding work on this case.” 
 
“SUNY took immediate action and alerted authorities when these illegal activities were uncovered by SUNY’s auditors, and we greatly appreciate the partnership of the Inspector General and District Attorney, in particular, in bringing this matter to a close, said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. “With more stringent internal controls and comprehensive oversight systems in place, SUNY Downstate is now in a stronger position.” 
 
The Inspector General thanked her team for their work on this case, including Investigative Counsel Thomas Collery, Senior Investigative Auditor Angelus Okeke, Senior Investigator Jimmy Gibson, and Investigative Auditor Victoria Oliva, under the supervision of Downstate Chief of Investigations Ben Defibaugh, New York City Deputy Inspector General Ken Michaels, and Chief Deputy Inspector General Michele Bayer. 

Inspector General Lang also expressed her gratitude to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and his staff for their partnership in addressing public corruption, to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, Criminal Investigations Division for their work on this case, and to SUNY for its referral and cooperation with the investigation.