Former MetroHealth Exec Sentenced for Role in Bribery Scheme

Thomas J. Greco, Jr. has been 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 of 13 counts by a jury on June 8:  conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds; bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds (five counts); Hobbs Act conspiracy, extortion under color of official right; Hobbs Act, extortion under color of official right; making and subscribing a false tax return (four counts); and conspiracy to commit mail fraud.

Greco, 55, lives in Strongsville, according to court records. He previously worked as the construction manager for MetroHealth, 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 MetroHealth, 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.

The 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 FBI and the Internal Revenue Service.