complaint·September 29, 2023

Cont from Pg 1 All outdoor and indoor passageways are kept free of obstruction. There are no bodies of water observed. A comfortable temperature is maintained throughout the facility. LPA observed the facility to be operational and in good repair. Residents were currently sitting in the movie screening room, activity room, and gaming rooms. Residents did not show any signs of distress or abuse. LPA requested pertinent documents pertaining to the investigation. The following documents were gathered: Resident Roster, Staff Roster, Copy of entire resident file for (R1) including Admissions Agreement, Needs and Services, physicians report. LPA requested facility staff schedules and other pertinent documentation such as staff files. On 6/28/2023 LPA referred this assignment case to the Investigations Branch (IB) of the Department of Social Services to conduct the interviews of the above allegation. Investigator Heidy Bendana (IB) interviewed the following individuals. Witness (W1), Victim (V1), Administrator (A1), Staff (S1-S2) and Residents (R1-R4). The Investigation Revealed The Following. Allegation: Staff financially abused resident. On 7/25/2023, at approximately 0754 hours, Investigator Heidy Bendana, interviewed Witness #1 via telephone. Witness #1 indicates W1 assist V1 with accounting due to V1 medical diagnosis but V1 is responsible for V1’s checkbook. W1 indicated during a review of V1 taxes W1 noticed on V1 bank account online a $9,000 check cleared made out to cash. W1 reported this to V1 and V1 denied writing a check for cash. On 7/25/2023, at approximately 1058 hours, Investigator Heidy Bendana, interviewed Victim #1. V1 had been a resident at Brookdale Ocean House. V1 informed Investigator that $9,000 was withdrawn from V1 First Citizen’s bank account and $1,000 from Bank of America account. V1 reported V1 checkbooks were stolen from Brookdale Ocean House. V1 confirmed S1 gave V1 a $8000 cashier’s check and said it solved the problem. V1 stated V1 asked S1 where’s the rest because the total amount stolen was $10,000. Cont from Page 2 On 7/27/2023, at approximately 0946 hours, I, Investigator Heidy Bendana, interviewed Matan Burstyn at her place of employment. Matan stated Victim #1 lived at the facility before she started her employment with the facility. Matan stated she was informed S1 stole $10,000 dollars from V1. On 08/2/2023, at approximately 0924 hours, Investigator Heidy Bendana, interviewed S3 via FaceTime. S1 stated V1 gave S1 a check for $1,000 & $9,000. S1 confirmed S1 cashed both checks at S1 bank. S1 stated later S1 attempted to return the money and V1 told S1 to keep some money therefore S1 only gave V1 a Cashiers check for $8,000. IB investigator interviewed Staff #2 and S2 corroborated the allegation. IB investigator interviewed Residents #1-4 and 4 of the 4 residents did not have any knowledge of the allegation. Based on LPAs observations and interviews which were conducted and the records that were reviewed, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation(s) is found to be substantiated. California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 6 and Chapter 8 are being cited on the attached LIC 9099D. An exit interview was conducted and a copy of the LIC 9099 and 9099D and Appeal Rights was provided to Assoc. Executive Director Jayden Bettencourt ,