An Albany judge upbraided former Surgeon General Antonia Novello for “arrogance” and for treating state health department workers like “household servants” as he accepted the terms of a plea deal related to abuses committed during her tenure as New York’s health commissioner. In a 10-minute lecture, County Court Judge Stephen Herrick (See Profile) told Ms. Novello that while her achievements are remarkable, she is now a felon because of the attitude that came with power.
Ms. Novello pleaded guilty in June to filing a false document involving a state worker’s duties. She avoided prison in a deal that included three years’ probation. While Judge Herrick could have rejected any of the terms, he accepted them Friday.
