New York sues Israelis over elder neglect

State's attorney general accuses Israeli-American businessman Kenneht Rozenberg of misusing funding for his nursing home company, while patients suffer injuries and death
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Daniel Edelson, New York|
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The state of New York is suing Israeli-American businessman Kenneth Rozenberg, a controlling owner of Israeli airline El-Al, for the alleged misappropriation of $83 million received by their nursing homes - Centers Health Care. With him the State also charged the airline's Deputy Chairman of the Board, Daryl Hagle.
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Rozenberg and Hagler are accused of enriching themselves and their close associates by diverting public funds, including those intended for the welfare of nursing home residents, to purchase assets, including El-Al, while the residents most of whom rely on the government funds, suffered neglect and abuse.
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נפתלי רוזנברג
נפתלי רוזנברג
Kenny Rozenberg
(Photo: Centers Health Care)
The 316-page lawsuit details how a shortage of staff in the nursing homes contributed to the neglect of residents, including, some suffering from malnutrition or left sitting in their own waste. The filing also claims residents weren’t fed, had their belongings stolen, and their calls went unanswered. One elderly man, who suffered from acute bedsores, contracted an infection, was hospitalized, and subsequently died.
Another elderly woman was denied access to her colostomy bag. Others suffered from dehydration. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus spread in the nursing home, resulting in the deaths of over 400 residents. “Residents were left on their own, often unaided and unsupervised, leading to dangerous falls and broken bones. They lived in squalor, surrounded by neglected food trays, vermin and the smell of human waste,” New York’s Attorney General Letitia James said.
“Nursing homes are meant to be safe spaces where the most vulnerable members of our community receive the care and dignity they deserve,” she said. “Instead, the owners of Centers Health Care allegedly used these four nursing homes — and the vulnerable New Yorkers who lived there — to extract millions of dollars for their personal use, leading to elder residents and those with disabilities suffering unconscionable pain, neglect, degradation, and even death.”
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קני רוזנברג
קני רוזנברג
Kenny Rozenberg
According to the charges, in 2020, Hagler transferred $103 million to Rozenberg from a bank account holding funds fraudulently obtained, in order to finance his acquisition of El-Al: “This $103 million loan came, at least in part, from Hagler’s fraudulently and illegally obtained profits from Medicaid-funded nursing homes,” The New York attorney's office said in its filing. “Rozenberg’s investment in El-Al, which ultimately allowed him to become the controlling shareholder of the airline, made possible by his and Hagler’s longstanding pattern of fraud and illegality.”
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מטוס דרימליינר של אל על
מטוס דרימליינר של אל על
El-Al airliner
(Photo: REUTERS/Amir Cohen)
In the lawsuit, the state demands the company return the money and prohibit the admission of new residents until additional staffing is complete.
The filing came no surprise to anyone paying attention to Rozenberg or had seen reports in American media about his business practices. According to those reports, he had acquired nursing homes for profit, reducing the level of care given to patients.
The allegations were known before the acquisition of El-Al was complete, and the airline's attorney Avigdor Klagsbald had demanded clarifications regarding the $1.65 million paid by Centers Health Care to the U.S. government and the state of New York in 2018 for fraudulent billing practices.
Centers Health Care denies the allegations, "The company prides itself on its commitment to patient care," a spokesperson for Center Health Care said. "Centers denies the New York attorney general's allegations wholeheartedly and attempted to resolve this matter out of court. We will fight these spurious claims with the facts on our side," The spokesperson said in a statement.
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4.
CNA
I worked at one of the nursing facility that is owned by Mr. Rosenberg. The facility is Schenectady NY Rehab and nursing. The administration aspect of this facility is incompetent. I received recently two of the same paychecks that equal up to my pay for that particular week. I informed the assistant director of her mistake and was advised by her that both pay checks were valid and that it was OK to cash both if possible. And if there were any issues, she would take care it.So I cashed both checks. And to cover her incompetency she made it look like I did something illegal. When in fact it was her. And then handed me a letter stating that I was dismissed October 2nd. 2023. When in fact I have pay stubs stating my last day of work was November 27th. I couldn't sign in with their time clock system due to their mistakes of inputting my information in. I'm assuming due to the their fact, They had me being discharged October 2nd. The same with their patients care record keeping. Also they are absolutely lacking as far as rehabilitation equipment. Such as beds with handrails. Patient care and their rooms are absolutely neglected. Some nursing staff members going out for a quick get high. I'm not just speaking about CNAs. It's time for more competent Administrative employees. Especially at this facility. To all the patients at Schenectady NY Rehab and nursing center. I hope this helps. Thank you, Ruth L. Ford
R. Ford | 12.06.23
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3.
RN
Unfortunately, the Center Health Care facilities were in poor condition prior to COVID. Underpaid workers and nurses, vacant positions weren't being filled, no advertising for staff, family complaints, etc. So this falls squarely on the lap of the owners. The company's quality of care has been spiraling downward for many years, so it is about time they face the music.
EH| 10.30.23
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2.
do I hear the accusations of
Antisemitism already? (Now I know why the religious behave in elal airplanes as it is theirs)
Josh| 06.30.23
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