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News Article: How Troubled Syracuse Nursing Home fed $60 Million into its Owner’s Corporate Web

If you have ever had to entrust the care of a loved one to a nursing home or other care facility, you know how emotional and challenging the decision can be. When choosing a facility, the family members of elderly patients have faith that the owners and staff have their loved one’s best interests in mind. Unfortunately, some nursing home owners may value their own financial interests over the care of your loved one.

According to the Syracuse Post Standard, Efraim Steif, part-owner of the Van Duyn nursing home, is one such proprietor. Steif is accused of charging his nursing home $60 million to provide food and other necessities in order to make a profit for his other companies.

At Dalli & Marino, LLP, we have zero tolerance for the exploitation of the elderly. If you suspect that a senior you love is the victim of mistreatment or financial abuse, we are ready to help and discuss your legal options.

How Government Money is Siphoned From Nursing Homes to Turn a Profit

While it is a common practice for nursing homes to contract other companies to provide goods and services, Steif has a financial stake in the four companies Van Duyn hires. This means that the government funding Van Duyn receives to care for their elderly patients can be funneled into Steif’s private companies with little to no regulation or oversight. Unfortunately, this is both legal and a common practice among private nursing homes, often at the expense of the elderly.

New York’s Attorney General, Letitia James, is currently investigating Van Duyn nursing home to determine if these business practices have compromised patient care. This is part of a wider investigation into reports of abuse and neglect in the facility. The AG office suspects that this siphoning of government funds into the owner’s private companies reduced the amount of money directed towards resident care. These profits can be hidden through fake transactions to make the nursing home appear to be struggling financially.

Attorney John Dalli of Dalli & Marino, LLP has seen many questionable transactions like this throughout his career, representing the victims of nursing home abuse and their families. According to him, this behavior is surprisingly easy to get away with.

“It’s like cheating on your federal taxes,” Dalli told the Syracuse Post Standard, “You only get caught if someone blows the whistle on you or the IRS conducts an independent audit.”

How Can an Attorney Help Me if I Suspect My Loved One is a Victim of Nursing Home Abuse?

If you suspect someone you love is a victim of nursing home abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation, you do not need to fight for justice alone. At Dalli & Marino, LLP, our attorneys have 27 years of experience protecting the rights and dignity of the elderly and their families. Some of the ways our skilled attorneys can help you include:

  • Conducting a thorough investigation into your case
  • Interviewing witnesses
  • Collecting evidence to support your claim
  • Answering any and all legal questions
  • Organizing and documenting your loved one’s medical bills and other expenses related to your case
  • Filing all paperwork correctly and on time.
  • Advocating for your and your loved ones’ rights and interests inside and outside of court

We offer a free, no-obligation consultation so we can discuss the specifics of your case and your legal options. Through a nursing home abuse claim, you may be able to collect damages for the medical expenses, property damage, and pain and suffering your loved one has endured.

Contact an Experienced Nursing Home Abuse Attorney at Dalli & Marino

Nursing home abuse is a common and debilitating issue the elderly face. If your senior family member has been subjected to nursing home abuse or exploitation, you have the legal right to hold their abusers accountable for their actions. The experienced attorneys at Dalli & Marino, LLP have extensive experience handling nursing home abuse cases and will fight tirelessly to achieve justice for you and your family. When you partner with us, you can have peace of mind that your case is in the caring hands of a seasoned legal expert. To schedule a free consultation, call us at (888) 465-8790 or complete our online contact form today.


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