The former executive of a company that operates publicly funded health care facilities in Nassau County pleaded not guilty today to misconduct charges.

Lawrence Slatky, the former vice president of NuHealth, is accused of improperly awarding a contract for laundry services in 2010. Prosecutors allege that he gave the contract to Hempstead-based FDR Services Corp. despite lower bids from other firms because of a personal friendship.

While at NuHealth, Slatky ran the publicly funded Nassau University Medical Center and the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care facility.

Slatky's attorney characterized the case as a "simple mistake" and claimed that his client never personally profited from the deal. FDR Services Corp. did not respond to requests for comment from News 12.

Slatky's defense also suggested that because the alleged crime happened four years ago, the two-year statute of limitations on such misdemeanor charges has expired. At issue is whether Slatky is considered a public servant, which would extend the statute of limitations.

Slatky was arraigned today on two counts of official misconduct. If convicted, he could face up to a year behind bars for each count.