Former MetroHealth Construction Manager Sentenced for Role in Bribery Scheme

Thomas J. Greco, Jr. was sentenced to more than nine years in prison for his role in a bribery scheme involving construction contracts for the MetroHealth System, federal officials said today.

Greco was found guilty by a jury on June 8, 2010 of conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds (count 1); bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds (counts 2 through 6); Hobbs Act conspiracy, extortion under color of official right (count 7); Hobbs Act, extortion under color of official right (count 8); making and subscribing a false tax return (counts 9 through 12); and conspiracy to commit mail fraud (count 13).

Greco, 55, lives in Strongsville, Ohio, according to court records. He previously worked as the construction manager for the MetroHealth System, a hospital system supported by Cuyahoga County taxpayers.

In that role, Greco and former MetroHealth Vice President John Carroll helped East-West Construction Co. get contracts at Metro, according to testimony at Greco’s trial.

In return, East-West executive Nilesh Patel provided things of value to Carroll and Greco. Carroll was provided trips abroad while Greco received gift cards, among other things, according to testimony.

Carroll and Patel previously pleaded guilty to related crimes and were sentenced to federal prison.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert J. Patton and James L. Morford. The investigation was conducted by the Cleveland office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service.

This article was sponsored by Law Enforcement Books.