A Doctor's Downfall: How a Leader's Greed Led to a $1. 5 Million Heist

A high-ranking doctor at a Brooklyn hospital has been sentenced to up to three years in prison for stealing nearly $1.5 million.

The Defendant

• Dr. Michael Lucchesi
• Former Chairman of Emergency Medicine at SUNY Downstate Medical Center
• Admitted to using stolen funds for personal luxuries over a six-year period

Spending Spree Breakdown

• $176,000 on extravagant pet care
• Including a $120,000 bill at a high-end pet resort
• $348,000 on personal travel
• $92,000 on entertainment
• Sports events, concerts, and Broadway shows
• $109,000 on gym memberships and personal training

The Theft

• Used a business credit card meant for hospital expenses
• Pleaded guilty to first-degree grand larceny in June
• Agreed to pay $720,000 in restitution
• Stolen money could have supported patient care and medical services

Sentencing Details

• Lucchesi appeared disheveled and chose not to speak
• Attorney emphasized his past contributions to the Brooklyn community
• Brooklyn District Attorney criticized him for betraying trust as a leader at a vital medical institution