Diversion of Funds

Related entities

New York’s Attorney General Letitia James filed a detailed lawsuit against Bent Philipson. Bent Philipson is an infamous nursing home owner/operator. He and his family own and control 163 facilities across 18 states including the Peachtree Centre in Gaffney, S.C.

The new suit shows how one can divert millions of dollars in government funds. Evidence shows funds were siphoned off through a network of fraudulent business. The operators used 13 related entities to create the appearance that they were providing services but were actually diverting taxpayer funds to themselves. Putting profit over resident care and safety. This happens in every for-profit chain. Standard operating practice in the industry.

The owners of Cold Spring Hills Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation allegedly stole $22.6 million of taxpayer money meant for resident care including paying more than $15.3 million in fraudulent “rent” to Cold Spring Realty, which is owned by the same individuals who operate the nursing home. This caused management to cut staff and neglect residents. The lawsuit details horrific stories of abuse and neglect at the facility.

“Cold Spring Hills’ owners put profits over patient care and left vulnerable New Yorkers to live in heartbreaking and inhumane conditions. From Buffalo to Long Island, every nursing home in New York must abide by laws that require the best care for New Yorkers.”

Centralized control

Who ever controls the money, controls the operation.

However, this is not his first brush with the law. See human trafficking case. The owners of the Sentosa group of nursing homes violated the US anti-human-trafficking laws against more than 200 nurses. Judge Gershon found that the nursing homes’ owners Benjamin Landa and Bent Philipson are personally liable for violations of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.

The Attorney General’s Office seeks Philipson’s removal to allow independent monitors oversee the nursing home’s finances and treatment of residents.