Cost to Keep Ex in Health Plan: Law License

Misrepresenting himself as still married to his ex-wife for six years, so that she could continue to be covered under his health insurance, has cost a former New York state government lawyer his job and a two-year suspension from practice.

Carmine Clemente, 64, also agreed under a plea deal in the misdemeanor case to pay $34,500 in restitution and fines and, in addition to resigning from his $198,000-per-year job, never again to work for the state, according to a New York Lawyer (reg. req.) article. It is a reprint of a New York Law Journal story.

James Long, the attorney who represented Clemente, says he is surprised at the severity of the punishment.