Frank Buonanotte Sues OASAS and Henry Zwack for $90 Million

In one of the most horrendous cases of political corruption, the lives of over 1500 patients were put at risk. Henry Zwack, a notoriously corrupt New York State official closed a group of alcohol and drug rehab clinics in an effort to retaliate against its CEO, Frank Buonanotte, after the two were engaged in a verbal altercation. In the most iniquitous manner, Zwack single handedly destroyed one of the most well respected treatment agencies on Long Island that provided tremendously needed services in that area. As a result, Long Island has been crippled by its completely out-of-control substance abuse problem. With DWIs on the rise, drug related crimes at an all-time high and not nearly enough treatment services on Long Island to accommodate the growing number of addicts, closing down the largest provider of substance abuse treatment may not have been the wises decision for the State. Especially since Crossings, the victimized agency, had previously enjoyed the luxury of a squeaky-clean reputation. This means more bad press for Henry Zwack, who is already known as a nefarious character.

It's unknown as to exactly how many lives have been affected by this act of vengeance. The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Services (OASAS) estimates that statistically, 15 percent of any given population usually requires some type of alcohol and/or drug addiction treatment. Given the fact that Long Island is home to over 3 million residents, it's safe to assume that nearly half a million people on Long island are in need of help. Because of the political nature of this situation, New York politicians have been disregarding the huge gap of substance abuse treatment services that Zwack's stunt caused.