Couple Arrested for Operating Assisted Living Facility Without a License
A couple in Tallahassee, Florida has been arrested for operating an assisted living facility without a license. The arrest came after an investigation that uncovered severe neglect of elderly residents.
Peter and Maria Lombardo were arrested after an investigation by Attorney General's Medicare Fraud Control Unit's Patient Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation (PANE) Team. The investigation found five elderly female residents living in substandard conditions. Further investigations revealed that the home the residents were living in was not licensed by the state. the Lombardos had one licensed facility, but were operating three other facilities without a license, including the one where the residents were found. Operating an assisted living facility without a license is a third-degree felony in Florida, and the Lombardos each face up to 15 years in prison.
Making sure a facility is properly licensed is one of the most important elements of ensuring quality care at an assisted living facility, group home, or nursing home. Licensed facilities must follow strict requirements regarding staffing, management of medication, and compliance with fire and safety codes. Though being licensed does not guarantee that a facility will not commit abuse or neglect, a facility that is unlicensed should be considered extremely dangerous.
for more information on assisted living facilities and what to do if you believe a loved one is being abused or neglected, please visit the Nursing Home Advocates Assisted Living Centers Information page.
