The FBI executed search warrants at Mount Lebanon Rehabilitation and Wellness Center in Allegheny County and Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center in Beaver County.
The two nursing homes in Pennsylvania were accused of criminal neglect and stealing residents’ stimulus checks. One of the facilities was already under investigation after it suffered the worst coronavirus outbreak in the state.
According to US Attorney Scott Brady, agents from the GBI, the IRS Criminal Investigation unit, the state attorney general’s office, and the office of inspector general for Health and Human Services were on the scene.
Brady urges anyone with information on abuse or suspected fraud related to long-term care facilities and the pandemic to report it immediately to the COVID-19 Fraud Task Force.
A spokesperson for FBI told Daily Mail that the bureau’s Pittsburg unit was conducting an investigation at the locations but did not give more details.
This comes weeks after officials in the state launched an investigation into Brighton Rehab center after it experienced the worst coronavirus outbreak.
Over 300 residents and staff members tested positive for Covid-19 and more than 70 patients passed away, WPXI reported.
According to KDKA, the Mount Lebanon facility made headlines after it was accused of stealing patients’ stimulus checks.
State Attorney General Josh Shapiro also confirmed Brighton Rehab was one of the nursing homes being investigated for criminal neglect related to coronavirus response.
Rep. Conor Lamb also called for a probe after Brighton allegedly started treating patients with hydroxychloroquine without the health department’s approval.
The facility was also the subject in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Elizabeth Wile’s family.
Wiles, a housekeeping employee hired to work at the nursing home, passed away on May 10 apparently from coronavirus.
Her family alleges the virus ‘spread through the Brighton unchecked, infecting and killing numerous residents and workers at the facility, including plaintiff’s decedent Elizabeth Wiles.’
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Replaced!