Nurse Convicted Of Sexually Abusing Patient At Rochester Nursing Home Gets 3½ Years In Prison

Attorney General Spitzer today announced that a licensed practical nurse convicted after trial of molesting a bedridden female patient at Monroe Community Hospital (SNF) has been sentenced to 3½ years in state prison.

Michael Edwards, 46, was convicted in March 2005 of first-degree sexual abuse and wilful violation of health laws. He was sentenced on May 5th by Monroe County Court Judge Richard A. Keenan to 3½ years in prison on the sexual abuse charge and a concurrent one year prison term on the wilful violation charge. Edwards was also sentenced to 1½ years of post release supervision and designated a Level II Sexual Offender.

Evidence at trial established that Edwards partially disrobed a 31-year-old female patient and fondled her. The victim, who had suffered brain damage as a result of a car accident, was unable to speak, move or consent in any way.

Edwards was employed at Monroe Community Hospital, located at 435 East Henrietta Road in Rochester, from June 5, 2000 to June 25, 2004, when he was terminated as a result of the incident. Edwards was indicted in September 2004.

Spitzer thanked the state Department of Health for referring the matter to his office. He also thanked the administration and staff of Monroe Community Hospital for its assistance and cooperation during the investigation.

Special Assistant Attorney General Jerry M. Solomon, Director of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit’s Rochester Regional Office, prosecuted the case. Senior Special Investigators William A. Falk and Robert Andrews, and Sgt. Arthur Vasile, of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department assisted in the investigation.