FBI Releases Report on Georgia Nursing Home Abuse Case
This month the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) released a disturbing report concerning the horrible conditions endured by the residents of three Georgia nursing homes. And the blame has fallen squarely on the shoulders of the owner.
The May 2012 report centers on the case of George Dayln Houser who was convicted of defrauding Medicare and Medicaid in Atlanta. His wife and accomplice, Rhonda Washington Houser, pled guilty this past December. The couple received more than $32.9 million in payments meant for their nursing home residents’ care. Instead they kept the money for themselves.
As with many nursing home facilities owners, Houser’s arrangement with Medicare and Medicaid included a promise to provide a safe, clean environment for his residents, along with good meals, necessary medical care and other forms of assistance. Instead, he chose to ignore the residents’ needs and line his own pockets.
Numerous complaints from residents, their families, employees and vendors alerted the FBI and instigated an investigation by the Atlanta office. The FBI, working with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General and the IRS Criminal Investigation department, discovered deplorable living conditions for the residents and a lack of even the most basic of services.
During the trial, it was found that residents endured lack of food, leaking roofs, piled up trash, flies and rodents, and mold and mildew in their living environment. In addition, the staffing was inadequate, employees were not being paid, their insurance premiums allowed to lapse, and vendors were not reimbursed for their services.
Meanwhile, Houser and his wife were spending the money on luxury living and real estate, allowing their residents to suffer. Special Agent Brian Lamkin cited, “The level of greed and lack of compassion for others . . . in this case”.
The residents of all three nursing homes have been moved to safer living arrangements and the homes have been shut down.
Since graduating magna cum laude in 2005 from the University of Memphis School of Law, Thomas has helped make a difference in the lives of victims of serious personal injury, wrongful death, and professional negligence. Thomas has extensive trial experience in both state and federal court. Among other victories in the courtroom, Thomas obtained several impressive jury verdicts and settlements
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