Headlines: $19M in Medicare fraud, “horrific” accident, nurses laid off

Here are some stories making headlines across the Hudson Valley.

News 12 Staff

Apr 15, 2021, 11:21 AM

Updated 1,351 days ago

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Here are some stories making headlines across the Hudson Valley.
A former chiropractor will spend several years behind bars. James Spinda has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison and will pay nearly $19 million in restitution for defrauding Medicare and other insurance companies.  Spina previously owned Dolson Avenue Medical in Middletown, which now has a new name.
Former Orangetown Town Supervisor and current Peekskill City Manager Andrew Stewart was injured in a car accident on Wednesday. Police say Stewart was heading eastbound on the Bear Mountain Bridge Road just before 9 a.m. Wednesday when his 2003 Toyota Tacoma went into the westbound lane and struck a rock wall. Stewart was taken to the intensive care unit at Westchester Medical Center. His condition is not known yet, but Mayor Andre Rainey called it a "horrific accident." State police say they are looking at whether a medical emergency contributed to the accident. There were no other vehicles involved. A special meeting of the Common Council is being held on Zoom Friday night to appoint an acting city manager.
Putnam Hospital Center is laying off 11 nurses despite reports of understaffing, according to the New York State Nurses Association. The association says one of the nurses being let go is a 30-year veteran of the hospital. 
Welcome news for soon to be graduates at Manhattanville College as in-person ceremonies will take place over several days in May. Only 2020 and 2021 graduates are invited to attend. But guests can watch via livestream.