Northwell Nurse Stole $34K Worth Of Medical Devices: DA

A nurse employed by Northwell Health System in Manhasset faces charges in connection to stealing $34,000 worth of medical devices and trying to sell them on eBay, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said Friday.

Rafael Hung, 42, 0f Queens, was arraigned Thursday on a third-degree grand larceny charge.

“Nurses are hardworking professionals entrusted with an essential role in our healthcare system, but [Hung] allegedly betrayed that trust and stole medical devices to make a quick buck,” Singas said in a press release.

According to the DA, a Northwell manager learned that medical devices, including the Alaris infusion pump and AccuVein vein finder, were being sold on eBay and shipped from an address in Oakland Gardens, Queens in November 2016. A Northwell investigation revealed Hung stole the devices from the Surgical Intensive Care Unit by putting them in his backpack from Aug. 8, 2016 and Feb. 16, 2017, the DA said.

Hung began working at the Surgical Intensive Care Unit in March 2011, but has since been terminated.

Hung was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court on June 7. He faces 2-1/3 to seven years in prison if convicted.

The New York State Department of Health will determine whether or not to revoke his nursing license if he's convicted.

Image via NCDA