Two Pittsburgh-area nursing home companies have been slapped with a hefty bill of restitution totaling over $15 million for healthcare fraud. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania announced the sentencing after the corporations, responsible for Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center and Mt. Lebanon Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, were found guilty on multiple counts of false statements and obstruction related to healthcare benefits.
As reported by the U.S. Attorney’s press release, U.S. District Judge Robert J. Colville imposed the sentences. Brighton must pay $12,629,257.46 and serve five years' probation, while Mt. Lebanon must pay $2,721,312.10 and serve one year of probation. The firms falsified records to show they met staffing requirements essential for receiving federal funds while putting residents' care on the back burner.
Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti clarified that the motive was profit, at the severe cost of patient care. "Choosing to prioritize profits over patient care, these facilities lied and falsified records regarding meeting minimum requisite staffing levels to avoid sanctions and to continue to receive federal funding, all the while failing to provide residents with the level and quality of care they deserved," Rivetti stated, as cited by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
During the trial, several shocking revelations came to light. Not only had staff numbers been deceitfully bolstered on paper, but crucial care was also severely compromised to the extent that a lack of personnel led to a violent incident between residents. Family members bore witness to the heartbreaking decline in their loved ones' health and well-being due to the negligence. Seeking justice, these testimonials contributed to the eventual outcome that Judge Colville described as "a tragic set of events."
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicole A. Stockey and Jacqueline C. Brown, along with Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron McKendry, were the forces behind the prosecution, which Rivetti commended. The successful outcome resulted from a combined effort between the FBI, HHS-OIG, IRS-Criminal Investigation, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.
