The last defendant in the widespread scandal that exposed disgraced state Sen. Carl Kruger’s bribery scheme confessed his crimes in Manhattan Federal Court last week — marking the end of the biggest political corruption story to hit southern Brooklyn in decades.
Health consultant Solomon Kalish, 61, pleaded guilty to bribing Kruger by directing $197,000 to Olympian Strategic Development Corporation, a dummy corporation created by Kruger’s partner and alleged lover, Michael Turano, to launder bribes.
Prosecutors said the bribes were payoffs for Kruger’s assistance in his company’s efforts to acquire certain other hospitals, namely the Caritas Hospitals in Queens.
Kalish said he was “truly sorry” for his crime as he stood before Judge Jed Rakoff. He faces up to six years in prison when he’s sentenced on May 22, the New York Daily News reported.
Kalish’s confession comes a month after Kruger tearfully admitted to accepting nearly $1 million in bribes.
Of the seven defendants indicted on various corruption charges with Kruger, Turano, Kalish, lobbyist Richard Lipsky, and Robert Aquino pleaded guilty; Assemblyman William Boyland was acquitted; and hospital CEO David Rosen was convicted. All criminal charges against developer Aaron Malinsky were dropped.
Attempts to reach Kalish’s Lawyer, Adrian DiLuzio, were unsuccessful at press time.
Reach reporter Colin MIxson at cmixson@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-4514.
