The New York state attorney general’s office is investigating Nassau University Medical Center, a public safety-net hospital in East Meadow, N.Y., a spokesperson confirmed to Becker’s.
The spokesperson declined to share additional details, including when the inquiry began or what specifically it is examining.
The investigation centers on allegations that the hospital’s former executives improperly used public money on meals, travel and large payouts as they exited, sources familiar with the matter told Newsday, which first reported the probe.
A hospital spokesperson declined to comment to Newsday. Becker’s has reached out to Nassau University Medical Center and will update this story if more information becomes available.
The inquiry follows more than a year of turmoil at Nassau County’s only public hospital. A state law that took effect June 1, 2025, shifted control of Nassau Health Care Corp., which oversees NUMC, from the county to the state and expanded state oversight of its finances. In May 2025, Gov. Kathy Hochul named former Hofstra University President Stuart Rabinowitz chair of a restructured board.
The overhaul preceded a wave of departures from NUMC’s senior ranks. On June 10, 2025, the board placed Megan Ryan, the hospital’s president and CEO since 2024, on administrative leave and named Richard Becker, MD, interim CEO. Ms. Ryan was terminated later that month, and nine other leaders resigned.
Since those exits, the hospital and Ms. Ryan have filed lawsuits against each other. In November 2025, the hospital filed separate suits against seven former executives over alleged improper termination payments. The former executives have disputed the hospital’s allegations, according to Newsday.
Kenneth Abell, an attorney for Ms. Ryan, said in a statement to Newsday that the attorney general’s office had not contacted her and that “we are confident that Ms. Ryan will be exonerated.” He said Ms. Ryan acted lawfully throughout her tenure and in what she believed were the best interests of the hospital, its staff and patients.
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