Ex-NUMC CEO Meg Ryan accused of stealing $1M in exit payouts — but calls allegation 'political hit-job'
Share this @internewscast.com

The new leadership at Nassau University Medical Center has made significant allegations, claiming that the recently dismissed CEO embezzled a minimum of $1 million from the hospital through unauthorized exit payments, according to leaked documents.

In a letter addressed to former CEO Meg Ryan on Wednesday, interim CEO Dr. Richard Becker accused her of misappropriating the money for herself and 12 other staff members who left with her at the end of May.

“We have discovered that you approved payments totaling approximately $3.5 million to yourself and 12 former employees,” Becker stated in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Post. “It appears that at least $1 million of this total exceeded the amounts owed to you and the other employees for wages and leave compensations.”

Becker ends the letter by firing Ryan, removing her from administrative leave and giving her until Friday to respond to the allegations and possibly retain her job. The letter was leaked Thursday night by state officials as Ryan was preparing to present her case.

A rep for Ryan told The Post that the allegations and the subsequent leak are part of a “political hit-job” to try and derail her credibility and career by turning her resignation into a for-cause termination tied to claims of fraud.

The representative said Ryan unequivocally denies the accusations made in the letter — and is now firing back with a lawsuit against Becker and NuHealth, the public benefit company that runs the hospital, claiming that the corporation is “trying to wriggle out of its obligations” in Ryan’s contract by “ginning up ‘cause’ where none exists.

“This is an attempt to distract from the State’s own corruption in the handling of NUMC’s finances,” the rep for Ryan said. “This leak came straight from the second floor of the governor’s office. The people who perpetuated the fraud fired the people who uncovered the fraud — and now control the hospital.”

The former CEO has been battling with state officials for years and opposing the recent state takeover of the hospital. She is now part of a federal investigation into her bombshell claims of a $1 billion scheme by state and local officials to defund the public hospital.

The state denies it has any intention to shut down the medical center, which serves nearly 300,000 patients a year. But documents obtained by The Post revealed a letter that NUMC received from the state’s Department of Health, signed by Gov. Hochul, in March 2024 that said the hospital’s current model was financially unsustainable and specifically recommended it cut staff and be converted into a 120-bed behavioral health facility.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced he and the GOP majority in the county legislature would not be making their four combined picks to the newly formatted hospital board out of protest — and instead would be naming Hochul in another lawsuit to overturn the “illegal takeover.”

Since the takeover earlier this month, roughly 75 employees have resigned, including the hospital’s chief medical, nursing, human resources and information officers, as well as senior leaders in pharmacy, facilities, finance, and special projects.

Sources with the hospital also revealed to The Post that the new board may have violated state open meetings laws on top of others.

They claimed that the day Ryan was ousted as CEO in the first board meeting since restructuring, a finalized meeting agenda was not shared until an hour before the session.

They also accused hospital and board officials of breaking state procurement rules by signing an undisclosed contract with Deloitte to handle the hospital’s finances and operations.

NuHealth did not respond to a Post request for comment.

“The state’s focus at NUMC remains on patient care and the hospital’s fiscal stability. That’s all that matters — everything else is just noise,” said Gordon Tepper, the governor’s Long Island rep, last month.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Man in wheelchair killed in crash on Jacksonville's Southside, JSO says

Fatal Accident Involving Wheelchair-Bound Man on Jacksonville’s Southside, According to JSO

A man in a wheelchair was killed in a traffic crash on…
Retired mom among 3 killed in ‘premeditated’ North Carolina waterfront restaurant massacre

Tragic Waterfront Restaurant Attack in North Carolina: Retired Mom Among 3 Victims

One of the three people who lost their lives in the Saturday…
Florida man kills, eats pet peacocks after argument with neighborhood

Florida Resident Consumes Pet Peacocks Following Dispute with Neighbors

A 61-year-old man is facing charges for killing and eating his pet…
What happens now that a government shutdown is underway

Implications of the Current Government Shutdown

Washington is gearing up for what might be an extended federal shutdown…
18-year-old charged with murder in Jacksonville shooting

Jacksonville Shooting: 18-Year-Old Faces Murder Charges

JSO charges 18-year-old Andre Thomas with murder for the shooting death of…
Trump plans 100% tax on foreign-made films

Trump Proposes Full Tax on Internationally Produced Films

Claiming that movie production has been “stolen” from Hollywood and the U.S.,…
Travel warning: Delta Air Lines credit card policy nearly strands couple in London, England | What to know

Travel Alert: Delta Air Lines Credit Card Policy Almost Leaves Couple Stuck in London, England | Essential Information

PHILADELPHIA — There is an important alert for airline travelers. In addition…
Utah gov marks turning point as TPUSA returns after Charlie Kirk assassination

Utah Governor Marks Milestone as TPUSA Reunites Following Incident Involving Charlie Kirk

LOGAN, Utah – Turning Point USA returned to Utah Tuesday night for…
Turning Point, moving forward without Charlie Kirk, makes first return to Utah since his killing

Turning Point Moves Ahead Without Charlie Kirk, Visits Utah for the First Time Since His Death

LOGAN, Utah (AP) — Turning Point USA’s college tour is set to…
Blue city felon with violent history arrested in deadly train platform stabbing after parole release: report

Violent Ex-Felon Recently Released on Parole Arrested for Fatal Stabbing at Train Platform, Report Says

Police and a local news report indicate that a paroled felon with…
Napheesa Collier torches WNBA leadership in exit interview

Napheesa Collier Criticizes WNBA Leadership in Candid Exit Interview

Collier, known for her candidness in championing players’ causes, criticized the current…
Michigan church shooter's romance history emerges as suspect's father apologizes to victims' families

Romantic Past of Michigan Church Shooter Revealed Amid Father’s Apology to Victims’ Families

GRAND BLANC, Mich. – The father of the man responsible for driving…