(ACROSS NEW YORK STATE) - 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Workers East is responding to New York State Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit against the owners, operators and landlords of four nursing homes across the State for years of repeated and persistent fraud and illegally misusing more than $83 million in taxpayer money that resulted in significant resident neglect, harm, humiliation – and even death.

Grace Bogdanove, who serves as 1199 SEIU’s Executive Vice-President for Western New York’s Nursing Homes, said in a released statement: "We commend Attorney General Letitia James for her focus on quality of care for nursing home residents.  As a Health Care Union, we condemn any misuse of funds intended for resident care. 1199 SEIU Members in Western New York take care of the most vulnerable in our community in sometimes difficult conditions and with limited resources.  Taxpayer funds must support resident well-being, including proper staffing to ensure the quality care residents deserve.”

The nursing homes, which are owned and operated by Centers for Care LLC - doing business as Centers Health Care, include: Beth Abraham Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing (Beth Abraham Center) in Bronx County; Buffalo Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing (Buffalo Center) in Erie County; Holliswood Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare (Holliswood Center) in Queens County; and the Martine Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing (Martine Center) in Westchester County.

Residents at these facilities were forced to sit for hours in their own urine and feces, suffered from severe dehydration, malnutrition and increased risk of death, developed infections and sepsis from untreated bed sores and inconsistent wound care, sustained life-changing injuries from falls, and died, the Attorney General’s Office said.

To Directly Access The Attorney General’s Press Release, Go To: Attorney General James Sues Owners and Operators of Four Nursing Homes for Financial Fraud and Resident Neglect (ny.gov)