Murder suspect Luigi Mangione may have targeted UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson over his hatred of the company's policies, but the Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) says the suspect himself His family reportedly made a fortune in a nursing home network rife with violations and complaints. .
The for-profit Lorient Health Services Network, founded by Mangione's wealthy grandparents, has installed nine Maryland homes with top-class services, including restaurant-style dining, a movie theater, and even a beauty spa. It advertises itself as an idyllic place with the promise of amenities.
However, at least two homes have received poor Medicare/government ratings for health inspections and quality of life issues, and one has a warning label due to reports of abuse.
Lorient Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Bel Air was accused of mistreating patients in several domestic incidents, according to an April 2024 inspection by HSS.
On Aug. 24, 2023, a geriatric nursing assistant (GNA) threw a doorbell at a resident who needed help using the bathroom and warned the patient “not to press the button again,” according to the report. It turned out that.
The same day, GNA was also accused of being too rough while assisting a resident who needed to be turned over, when staff later administered the painkiller Tylenol to the patient.
GNA was fired over the bell-throwing incident, but an HHS inspection found the company failed to conduct due diligence by reviewing nurses' files and failing to complete abuse training, which has been conducted annually since 2020. It turned out that.
The report also cited multiple complaints from residents that care staff were unable to respond to calls for help in a timely manner, with some people waiting nearly an hour before seeking help.
“Based on a review of the medical records of complaints, incidents reported by the facility, review of medical records and interviews with staff, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that residents were free from mental and physical abuse. ”, the report concludes.
Overall, the Bel Air facility has received 24 health-related alerts over the past six years, nearly three times the national average of 9.6.
Meanwhile, Lorient's Columbia facility had to pay a $24,680 fine in July following an HHS inspection that found numerous health and safety violations within the nursing home.
The July report also documented numerous incidents throughout the year, including staff regularly mismanaging patients' medical needs and failing to communicate with each other, residents, or residents' families. did.
This mismanagement causes distress to patients, including residents who are left alone in bed, needing help getting dressed, and left naked when another patient of the opposite sex enters the room. There was also an incident.
In June, Lorient Medical Services agreed to pay $55,192 to the federal government for allegedly violating civil penalty laws by having unlicensed individuals provide services, the Daily Mail reported.
HSS' Office of Inspector General alleged that Lorient “allegedly used stolen credentials to submit claims for services provided by individuals impersonating qualified nursing staff.”
Officials also stated that “Once Mr. Lorient learned that the employee was a fraudster and unlicensed, Mr. Lorient timely reported and reimbursed the Medicare and Medicaid payments received for services provided by the employee. He did not return the money.”
Company spokesperson He told the Post that the circumstances of the abusive behavior cited at the Bel Air facility are disputed, and that the fines Lorien paid for the violations were in the millions of dollars paid by similar facilities in the state. He said it was only a small part of the story.
“For 47 years, Lorien has excelled in providing unparalleled assisted living and nursing home care to our residents,” Lou Grimmel Sr., CEO of Lorien Health Services, said in a statement. ” he said.
“We have been guided by our founder's pride of ownership and core values: 'We are a family that takes care of our family, friends and neighbors.'
“We embrace this mantra every day with our care-forward approach, which grows from a team that embraces innovation, new technology, and specialized care that sets us apart,” Grimmel said. added.
Mangione's grandmother, Mary, left the family about $30 million in a trust, but the individual is not named in the federal documents.
Despite facing challenges at its Bel Air and Columbia locations, the company remains one of the industry leaders, with Lorient ranked in the top 19% of nursing homes on U.S. News & World Report's 2025 list. are.
According to police, the company's medical law violations have once again drawn public attention after Mangione declared his hatred for the industry in a manifesto.
“These parasites were simply anticipating infection,” Mangione wrote, according to law enforcement.
In his book, Mangione blasted the “greed” of private insurance companies that prioritize profits over the well-being of their customers.
Authorities also found markings on the bullet used by the assassin that appeared to include the words “reject,” “resign,” and “defend.” These words are eerily similar to “Delay, Deny, Defend,” a 2010 book attacking the insurance business. Why insurance companies don't pay claims and what you can do about it. ”
Notably, Mr. Thompson was the head of insurance at UnitedHealth Group, the nation's largest private insurance company, which has a long and controversial history of denying customers' claims.
