![]() The conditions at Saratoga Center declined under the control of the new, unlicensed operator and associates, leading to a breakdown in the quality of care provided to residents. In 2017, the landlord pressured the owners to relinquish control of Saratoga Center to the unlicensed operator and other associates but did not report the change to DOH. In reality, the owners and the landlord were already in business together, and the landlord was funding the purchase of Saratoga Center. The Office of the Attorney General's (OAG) investigation found that when the owners applied to DOH in 2014 to get a license to operate Saratoga Center, they and the landlord deceived DOH about their relationship, claiming it was at “arm’s length,” and that the owners were seeking private loans to fund their acquisition of the nursing home. Saratoga Center operated as a 257-bed nursing home from 2015 until it closed in 2021. Nursing home operators are also prohibited from delegating key duties to other individuals who have not been approved as operators by DOH. In addition, prospective owners of nursing homes are required to make truthful disclosures to DOH in their applications to become operators. Under New York law, owners of nursing homes have a “special obligation” to ensure the highest possible quality of life for residents, and to staff the facility at a level sufficient to provide adequate care to all residents. Thank you to Attorney General James and her office for collaborating on this case.” ![]() This case demonstrates that we will hold responsible people accountable when they pocket federal funds while providing substandard care. Instead, a business dispute between the operators and landlord led to dangerous conditions for residents and staff and caused the submission of false claims to Medicaid for worthless services. “Nursing homes should protect the health and well-being of every resident,” said U.S. My office will continue to ensure nursing home residents are protected, and I encourage anyone who has witnessed alarming conditions, resident neglect, or abuse at a nursing home to contact my office.” Attorney Freedman and team for their partnership in holding Saratoga Center accountable for putting New Yorkers in harm’s way. “Instead of providing the quality care and compassion that residents deserved, the owners of Saratoga Center deceived regulators and left residents to suffer deplorable conditions and neglect. “We trust nursing homes to protect New Yorkers during their most vulnerable days, but the owners, unlicensed operator, and landlord of Saratoga Center repeatedly violated the law for their own benefit,” said Attorney General James. This action is the fourth taken in as many months by Attorney General James to protect vulnerable New Yorkers in nursing homes. In addition, the owners, unlicensed operator, as well as the entities that owned the nursing home’s real property, are excluded from participating in Medicaid and Medicare for at least 10 years. The facility failed to provide medication to residents, lacked hot water and clean linens, and residents suffered falls, pressure sores, and other significant lapses in care.Īs part of the settlements, the owners, unlicensed operator, and landlord have admitted wrongdoing, and together, will return $7.1 million to Medicaid, with $4.3 million going to New York. ![]() Under the control of this unlicensed operator and his associates, conditions at Saratoga Center rapidly declined. In 2017, following a financial dispute, Saratoga Center’s landlord pressured the owners, who were the licensed operators, to relinquish control of the nursing home to the unlicensed operator, and never reported the change to the New York State Department of Health (DOH). NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James and the United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York (USAO-NDNY) Carla Freedman today announced they have secured more than $7.1 million from the Saratoga Center for Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Care (Saratoga Center), a former nursing home in Ballston Spa, and its owners, unlicensed operator, and landlord for years of fraud and resident neglect. Settlement Marks Fourth Recent Action by AG James to Address Problems in Nursing Homes and Protect Vulnerable New Yorkers Owners, Operator, and Landlord of Saratoga Center Deceived DOH, Caused Widespread Neglect and Abuse
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