CNS EXCLUSIVE
"Do You Know Where
LOCAL BOARD & CARE FOR SENIORS
UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR PREDATORY PRACTICES
Laguna Niguel, CA - Tom Sather and Quality Life Homes is
under investigation for predatory practices committed against
the senior citizens Mr. Sather houses in five facilities in the
south Orange County area. In March, Sather was convicted of violating
the state landlord tenant laws when he refused to return rent
monies and deposits from an elderly renter, who had to appear
in court in a wheelchair, with oxygen tanks in order to breathe.
Sather was accused of taking rent money up front, and then causing
Mr. Babin, the renter, hypoglycemic shock, by feeding him food
that violated his dietary requirements, and which put Mr. Babin
in the ICU at South Coast Medical Center. When Mr. Babin game
out of the ICU, he refused to be placed back at Sather's Quality
Life Homes board and care, and was instead placed in a convalescent
facility. Because Mr. Babin was unable to give notice, Mr. Sather
assumed that he was entitled to keep all unused rent monies, and
the deposit, paid by Mr. Babin; and he overlooked the fact that
his facility had caused the emergency that forced Mr. Babin back
to the hospital almost in a coma.
After Mr. Babin's condition was stabilized, and he was able to
look after his own interests again, he requested that Mr. Sather
return his unused rent and deposit. It was then revealed that
Mr. Sather has been providing consideration to the nursing staff
at South Coast Medical Center, in return for referrals made by
the staff at the Medical Center, of elderly patients who need
board and care housing. Mr. Babin disclosed the fact that Mr.
Sather was compensating nurses and discharge personnel at South
Coast Medical Center, for referrals. Additionally, members of
Mr. Babin's family have confirmed that pressure was applied
to them by the discharge personnel at South Coast Medical Center,
to place Mr. Babin at Quality Life Homes, even though his placement
there was not appropriate to his medical condition. This
predatory practice was disclosed to the Licensing Board of the
Health Care Agency of Orange County, and is under investigation.
The Ombudsman for senior services is also involved in resolving
the matter. Of course, the fact that Mr. Babin is in failing
health is part of the strategy of Mr. Tom Sather and Quality Life
Homes, who expect their appeals to extend beyond the victim's
lifespan. Until the results of this investigation are finished,
all families in south Orange County are advised to keep their
senior members OUT of Quality Life Homes. SOURCE: Written by local reporters exclusively for the Central News Service, and Dana Point On-Line. |
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