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The 20-count indictment that the court charged to Novello, a former U.S. surgeon general, involved using state workers to run errands, to taker on shopping sprees, and to act as servants in her home, New York Daily News reports.[1]
Albany District Attorney David Soares negotiated the plea bargain, resulting in pleading guilty to one count of a felony for offering a false instrument for filing.
Her formal sentencing was to be August 14, but the plea bargain requires she pay the state $22,500 in restitution. Novello must also complete 250 hours of community service at an Albany health clinic and pay a $5,000 fine. Noncompliance will result in up to four years in prison, but Novello can keep her medical license at this point.
The former Health Commissioner didn't speak to reporters Friday, but her lawyer, E. Stewart Jones, said that he still believed the matter should never have been in court, the New York Daily News reports.[1]
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