By KIMBERLY ACEVEDO
According to officials at the New York State Department of Health, the facility did not follow state regulations when it began moving its elderly residents, many of whom were relocated to the King David Manor.
"We received a number of complaints about the inappropriate transfers of residents," Robert Kenny, a health department spokesperson, said. What Kenny described as an "aggressive investigation" began after a series of complaints were filed by family members of Ambassador residents.
Without the health department's consent, the Ambassador, at 351 W. Broadway, closed in recent weeks even after its operator, Bianca Minelli, was notified not to close the facility until June at the earliest, Kenny said.
Currently, Kenny explained, "There are no residents in the facility, and they didn't notify us." He said the health department must be notified when any resident is transferred to another health-care facility. The department must monitor the transfers in order to ensure the appropriate discharge of residents. A resident's physical and mental needs play a large role in proper placement. Potential homes must also be assessed, Kenny said.
Documentation of proper procedure was not provided to the health department, Kenny said. There were no records of notifications sent to residents or family members, or consent forms from either residents or family members regarding the transfers, he added.
The health department is in the process of revoking Minelli's operating certificate, Kenny explained, adding, "No one can operate an adult licensed home without ... certification."
When reached on the phone several times by the Herald, Minelli repeatedly refused to comment, hanging up each time.
Kenny said that Minelli could apply for another certificate, at which time the department "would consider the current situation."
"Appropriate requirements have to be met," he added.
While a majority of residents went to other adult homes, Kenny said that almost half were placed in the King David at 80 W. Broadway, where Minelli became the operator as of Feb. 1.
Steven Schoenberger, the former King David operator, told the Herald that to his knowledge, most of the King David residents have remained at that facility. The health department, however, has not recognized any transfers within either the Ambassador or the King David, Kenny said.
"It's a case that we are reviewing at this point to decide what the next steps will be," he said.
