Centre Island police refer burglary complaint of Matt Bruderman's home to Nassau detectives day before he was replaced as NUMC chair 

Centre Island police say they have referred an alleged burglary complaint at the Oyster Bay home of Matthew Bruderman to Nassau County police, which occurred a day before he was removed as chair of the Nassau Health Care Corporation, the county's safety-net health system. 

County Executive Bruce Blakeman late Thursday night announced he replaced Bruderman with county Health Commissioner Dr. Irina Gelman to lead the public-benefit corporation that operates Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow. Bruderman's term would not have expired until Feb. 28, 2027.

Village police carried out the initial investigation after the incident occurred Wednesday and the case was referred to county police detectives, according to Centre Island Police Officer John Schmidt. Centre Island police did not provide any more details.  

Bruderman did not respond to a request for comment. 

A Nassau police spokesman said Friday he was unaware of an investigation into Bruderman's case.

Removing Bruderman from NUMC marked a turning point for Blakeman and the hospital, which is in a battle with the state over control of the hospital's board.  

Until this week, Blakeman had been a staunch supporter of Bruderman, a former finance executive and top GOP donor. Blakeman had ousted another board member to appoint Bruderman as chairman in March 2022, prompting court battles and internal turmoil at the hospital.

When asked what led to the decision to remove Bruderman, Blakeman spokesman Chris Boyle on Friday told Newsday: "Chairman Bruderman did a good job of reducing the deficit and improving hospital ratings, and we appreciate his service. County Executive Blakeman thought it was time for a new and fresh approach and he has the utmost confidence in Dr. Gelman who is the consummate health care professional."

NUMC has accrued hundreds of millions of dollars in debt after years of mismanagement, state officials said. According to officials at Nassau Interim Finance Authority, which oversees the finances of the county and the hospital, NUMC owes the state more than $400 million in unpaid health insurance premiums for its workers. 

Bruderman and hospital officials are suing the state for $1 billion over allegedly withholding the matching, non-federal portion of Medicaid funds owed to the hospital for serving a large share of low-income patients. 

Hospital executives are also suing NIFA in hopes of stripping the agency of its power over the hospital’s finances.

NIFA President Richard Kessel said he believed the burglary at Bruderman's home is bizarre.  

"I wish him the best of luck but there's a lot still to be told and we'll have to wait and see what else unfolds," Kessel said.  

By Candice Ferrette

candice.ferrette@newsday.com,michael.okeefe@newsday.comcandiceferrette,

Candice Ferrette covers Nassau County government and politics on Long Island. She has been a reporter at Newsday since 2011.