Ex-Surgeon General Novello pleads not guilty to abusing employees
Posted May 11, 2009 11:00 pm
ALBANY, N.Y. -- Former Surgeon General Antonia Novello has pleaded not guilty in New York to forcing state employees to work overtime to handle her personal chores.
Novello entered the plea Tuesday in Albany County Court. Prosecutors unsealed a 20-count indictment that included charges of defrauding the government while she was New York health commissioner.
They say Novello used state workers to chauffeur her on shopping trips and rearrange furniture at her apartment.
The state inspector general says the 2,500 hours of overtime put in by the workers cost taxpayers nearly $50,000.
Novello was health commissioner from 1999 to 2006. She was named surgeon general by President George H.W. Bush in 1990 and served until 1993.
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked.
If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.