A diabetic former NYPD cop convicted of mob ties has sued the city for allegedly ignoring his medical needs, resulting in him nearly losing his foot.
Frank Vassallo was ordered locked up in December for failing to pay child support, and the Department of Correction was directed to ensure he “receive all appropriate medical attention,” according to his suit filed in Manhattan Federal Court.
But when he got to the Manhattan Detention Center, he was out of insulin — and staffers ignored the Type 1 diabetic’s urgent need, Vassallo charges.
He was finally transferred to Bellevue Hospital on Dec. 21, but they treated him with shots instead of refilling the insulin pump he’d been prescribed, according to papers.
DIABETIC INMATE NEEDING INSULIN DIES AFTER SUFFERING FOR 14 HOURS AS RIKERS ISLAND GUARDS DO NOTHING
The failure to properly treat his condition resulted in an ulcer forming under his foot, which became infected “due to unsanitary conditions”, the suit says.
Vassallo, 46, alleges that Bellevue doctors and staff ignored his pleas for an examination, and that when he finally got their attention they said his foot was “fine.”
On Jan. 14, a Family Court judge granted his petition for compassionate release due to his infected foot.
The following month his own doctor detected MRSA — a difficult to treat and potentially deadly infection — in his foot.
The wound has yet to heal, the suit says.
In 2008, Vassallo, who had by then retired from the force, was accused of operating “Joker Poker” slot machines with a reputed Gambino soldier.
He was sentenced to four months of home confinement after pleading guilty to an illegal gambling charge.
“The appropriate response is for the city to evaluate the suit and investigate the facts after the suit is served,” a Law Department spokesman said.
Vassallo’s attorney, Philip Hines, could not be reached for comment.
The Department of Correction and health provider Corizon have been charged with neglecting diabetic inmates in the past .
Last month, the Daily News reported on the 2013 deaths of diabetic Rikers Island inmates Carlos Mercado and Bradley Ballard.
Mercado died over the course of 14 hours as correction officers did nothing, according to state and Department of Correction investigations.
The News also reported that Ballard’s blood sugar levels were among the highest coroners had ever seen at the time of his gruesome death in solitary confinement, according to a jail source.
The Department of Correction has said it has “zero tolerance for any mistreatment of inmates.”
