Pa. Attorney General Shapiro to investigate nursing homes for criminal neglect

Pennsylvania nursing homes are being investigated for criminal neglect during the coronavirus pandemic, Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced Tuesday.

The Office of the Attorney General Care-Dependent Neglect Team, which is part of the Medicaid Fraud Control section, has opened criminal investigations into several nursing homes and could start other investigations if it receives additional complaints.

“We will hold nursing facilities and caretakers criminally accountable if they fail to properly provide care to our loved ones,” Shapiro said in a statement. “While we salute and appreciate nursing home staff on the front lines during this pandemic, we will not tolerate those who mistreat our seniors and break the law.”

Criminal charges may be appropriate if the allegations of neglect, such as those that involve specific instances of mistreatment or injury, meet a “high threshold of certain circumstances when the caretaker of a person fails to properly provide for their health, safety and welfare,” the statement said.

Investigations already in progress were opened following referrals from community leaders and concerned citizens, a spokesperson for the office said.

He did not respond to questions regarding which nursing homes are currently being investigated or where they are located.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health regulates and licenses nursing homes. The Attorney General’s office has jurisdiction on issues related to criminal neglect.

The health department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Complaints can be reported at neglect-COVID@attorneygeneral.gov.