A Doctor Who Abused Patients Sexually Commits Suicide In Prison

According to two people familiar with the matter, a prominent neurologist who was convicted last month of sexually abusing patients committed suicide Monday at a New York City jail.

At the Eric M. Taylor Center, a jail on the notorious Rikers Island complex, Dr. Ricardo Cruciani, 68, was found unresponsive in a shower area. Under the condition of anonymity, they did not speak publicly.

Frederick Sosinsky, Cruciani's lawyer, confirmed in a statement that his client had died, but did not specify how.

In a statement, he said, "Ricardo's family and attorneys are shocked and saddened beyond words by the violent death he suffered while being held by the city this morning."

Cruciani was accused by prosecutors of grooming vulnerable patients by overprescribing painkillers, sometimes to treat serious injuries caused by car accidents.

In 2013, six women testified that the doctor exposed himself and demanded sex during appointments at a Manhattan medical center.

Terrie Phoenix, who testified against Cruciani, said she took comfort in knowing he now faces another judge.

As part of his federal charges, he was also scheduled to be tried next January on allegations that he abused multiple patients in New York City, Philadelphia, and Hopewell, New Jersey over the course of 15 years.

Cruciani denied molesting women. His lawyer questioned the credibility of his accusers in court.

"An immediate and objective investigation" is needed into the circumstances of his death, including whether jail officials followed a court order at the time of his conviction to place him under suicide watch and protective custody.

"Neither of these conditions has ever been met," Sosinsky said. "Had they been, we would not be having this terrible discussion."

According to Benny Boscio, president of the correctional officers' union, high-profile inmates are typically placed on suicide watch and monitored by a second officer when they first enter the jail.

We were not responsible for this tragic incident, which was clearly a managerial failure, because the inmate was not put on suicide watch.

He was convicted of 12 charges, including predatory sexual assault, rape, and sex abuse, and acquitted of two others. He died while awaiting sentencing next month. A life sentence was possible for him.

The conduct of Cruciani was "in no way a sign of remorse or guilt," said Hillary Tullin, who also testified and called a sexual abuse hotline in 2017. The thought of spending the rest of his life in prison was simply too much for him.

In his words, it was "a sad day for all of his victims who will never receive finality and will never have the chance to tell the defendant how deeply his crimes affected them."

Phoenix and Tullin were among 30 women who claim they were victimized by Cruciani, and Fritz represents them.

People who say they are survivors of sexual assault are rarely identified by the Associated Press unless they grant permission, as Phoenix and Tullin have done.

Around 5:50 a.m., firefighters responded to a call reporting an unconscious inmate at the jail. The department reported that paramedics attempted to resuscitate him but were unable to do so. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Rikers Island's Department of Correction confirmed Monday that an inmate at the Eric M. Taylor Center died, but did not release his name because the family has not yet been notified. The cause of death is under investigation, according to the department.

In a statement, Jails Commissioner Louis Molina expressed deep sadness over the death of the inmate, and promised an internal review to determine the circumstances.

Cruciani is at least the 11th inmate to die in a city jail this year. The number of people who died in city jails last year was the highest since 2013.

Cruciani's death was first reported by The Daily News.

The Manhattan district attorney's office, which prosecuted the case that ended in his conviction on July 29, was contacted for comment.

Following the verdict, Cruciani was sent to Rikers Island after being out on bail during the trial.

In the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, the facility has spiraled into chaos, with inmate deaths, violence, self-harm, and staff absences on the rise. The city has said it will close Rikers Island by 2027, replacing it with four smaller jails located elsewhere.

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