Sex addiction doesn't cut Ohio corruption sentence

AKRON, Ohio (AP) -- A former hospital executive sentenced to nine years in prison in a public corruption investigation in Cleveland has lost his bid for a shorter sentence based on his claim that he was a globe-trotting, out-of-control sex addict.

U.S. District Court Judge Sara Lioi ruled Thursday that John Carroll, 66, never mentioned a sex addiction until after he pleaded guilty and was sentenced.

Carroll, a former vice president of Cleveland's MetroHealth Medical Center, pleaded guilty to bribery, making false statements and tax fraud.

He was charged with accepting nearly $700,000 worth of rugs, jewelry, a Jacuzzi and trips to India and Japan in exchange for steering $51 million in construction contracts.

According to The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, Carroll said the sex addiction caused him diminished capacity when he pleaded guilty.

Carroll told the judge that he and a contractor co-defendant, Neal Patel, "were totally out of control in our drive for sex."

"From 2000 until 2008, we conspired to defraud the hospital so we could travel for sex," Carroll said.

"Our destinations were the world 'hot spots' for sex," including Amsterdam, Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, Toronto and Tokyo, Carroll said. "We had sex in Miami, Los Angeles, Houston."

Money never exchanged hands in the plot, according to Carroll, who said that showed the conspiracy was driven by sex and not greed.

The sex addiction confused his mind and led to bad decisions, Carroll wrote in a court filing. "If I were not a sex addict, I would not have been tempted to engage the conspiracy."

Patel pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years in prison.

Carroll offered no supporting medical proof of a sex addiction, the judge said.

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Information from: The Plain Dealer, http://www.cleveland.com