Whistleblower lawsuit filed against Ruffs Dale company

A former quality assurance director at a Ruffs Dale in-home care company contends in a federal lawsuit he was fired after reporting allegations that covid-relief funds were misappropriated and staff-training documents were falsified.

Bryan Kantorczyk claimed Gene Cook Supports Inc. — the company where he worked for more than six years, until he was fired last fall — awarded senior officials, including the firm’s owner, $25,000 bonuses with money that was earmarked for staff hazard pay.

Gene Cook Supports, according to the company’s web page, provides in-home care and support to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Allegheny, Fayette and Westmoreland counties.

Larry Kerr, lawyer for the company, said he had not yet read the allegations contained in the lawsuit.

“Gene Cook Supports is a very ethical company, and it will respond to the allegations in court,” Kerr said.

Kantorczyk of Ross, Allegheny County, said in the five-count lawsuit that the company’s 228 staffers were to receive $1,200 bonuses for work they performed over a 10-week period in the early months of the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, they received payments of $500 from a $272,200 federal hazard pay grant in 2020.

He claimed the company also received a federal low-interest loan of $1.15 million as part of the covid-relief effort. According to the lawsuit, Kantorczyk reported to government auditors the money was improperly spent to purchase property.

Kantorczyk also alleged staff was not properly trained to meet state and federal guidelines but was directed to submit documents that misrepresented their status.

“He was retaliated against,” attorney Darth Newman said. “The misconduct he identified is exactly the same conduct that hurts all of us and those who are using the service. He wanted Gene Cook Supports to treat clients properly. It’s not right, and now Mr. Kantorczyk is out of a job.”

Kantorczyk claims he was fired in October, just a day after he made his allegations to regulatory agencies — including Westmoreland County’s Office of Intellectual Services — during a routine audit of services.

Kantorczyk is seeking back pay and future potential earnings and other monetary damages for emotional distress, mental anguish and inconvenience.