complaint·March 29, 2023

The investigation revealed the following: Regarding the allegation… Facility has infestation of rodents. It’s being alleged the facility was observed to have rodent droppings during an inspection with the Department of Public Health. LPA interviewed 8 out of 80 staff in total. 1 out of 8 confirmed the allegation. S1 states, “an inspector came in for a visit. They opened a closet and it had rodent droppings. They had the maintenance team unscrew a metal cabinet in the kitchen and there were droppings behind there and behind the oven. Our food license got suspended for 48 hours. They came back 2 days later. We did a deep cleaning and outsourced our food. We put a new cleaning program in place. We fumigated and sprayed. We’ve had traps placed as an extra precaution. The kitchen team is doing another deep cleaning this week and next to make sure we get rid of whatever was present.” S2-S8 all denied observing any evidence of rodents. S2 states, “I’ve been working here for years and I never seen anything like that.” During interviews with residents, LPA interviewed 9 out of 96. 1 out of 9 confirmed the allegation. R5 states, “we did have a rodent in the heater when we moved in. You could tell because of the smell coming from the heater. When they came to open it up, they removed a dead mouse.” Residents 1-4 and 6-9 all denied the allegation. Citing, the facility is generally clean and not having any issues with rodents. R1 states, “I’ve been here 20 years. I have not seen any rodents. I spoke to a former member of the church behind us and they have a rat infestation problem. That’s probably where they may come from but it’s generally not here.” R9 states, “Never observed rodents or bugs, just me. This place is clean. It was one of the reasons I came here.” During a record review, LPA reviewed the following documents: Per an inspections report conducted by the Los Angeles Department of Public Health (LADPH) on 03/17/2022, rodent droppings was observed in the kitchen area and nearby storage closet. LPA reviewed invoices from Ecolab Pest Elimination Division dated for 03/17/2023, 03/18/2023, 03/19/2023 which show services were rendered, inspections were completed, deep cleaning was performed, rodent traps were placed and no rodent activity was noted during all 3 dates listed. LPA reviewed invoices from Property Care Building Services dated 03/18/2023 which details the facility’s main kitchen appliances, walls, and floors have been deep cleaned. On 03/19/2023, LADPH returned for a reinspection. At the time of inspection, it was noted that there was no longer a presence of rodents. The facility was cleared to resume operations in their kitchen. LPA reviewed invoices dated 03/22/2023 which indicates the facility conducted an emergency deep cleaning of the facility kitchen. Per the report, all food and beverage areas were treated, and traps were set. Cont. on 9099C Based on the interviews with staff, residents and a record review, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation(s) is (are) found to be Substantiated . California Code of Regulations, Title 22 Division (6) and Chapter (8) are being cited on the attached LIC9099-D. An exit interview was conducted, and a hard copy was provided with appeal rights. See LIC 9009-D on the next page