The problematic residential care center Mesa is monitored by third parties

MESA, AZ (AZFamily) – The owners of a Mesa assisted living facility facing disturbing allegations of abuse and fraud have agreed to temporarily relinquish control.

Heritage Village Assisted Living will be under the control of a “third-party recipient” as part of a joint agreement with the Arizona Attorney General’s office. That recipient, Peter S. Davis, will temporarily have full control of the facility’s operations.

According to the attorney general’s office, Davis has more than 25 years of experience, including serving as a trustee in regulatory cases brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, the Arizona Corporation Commission and the Arizona State Board of Education .

Gary Langendoen, senior managing director of Madison Realty Companies, which represents Heritage Village management, said the appointment is “an important step forward for Heritage Village and for our 150 residents and dedicated employees.”

Langendoen said a majority of the facility’s residents are seen regularly by healthcare professionals who contract with the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) health insurance program.

“About two-thirds of Heritage Village residents are covered by ALTCS,” says Langendoen. “The ALTCS program and the three insurance companies that administer that program are satisfied with the care provided to their subscribers living at the facility.”

In a lawsuit last month asking the Maricopa County Superior Court to take over the facility, prosecutors alleged that Heritage Village had not done “the bare minimum” to ensure that vulnerable adults in their care were not abused or neglected.

The attorney general’s office also said in court paperwork that the defendants’ actions resulted in a variety of abuses at Heritage Village, including neglect causing injury, “unreasonable confinement” and assault. The lawsuit also alleged that Heritage Village claimed to provide “memory care,” which has no clear definition under Arizona law, and received more than 100 citations from the public.

In October, the Arizona Department of Health Services confirmed to Arizona’s families that Heritage Village had been cited for violations more than 140 times in the past three years. Gov. Katie Hobbs called for a thorough investigation into the facility’s business practices.

A growing number of people associated with the Mesa facility reported alleged abuse.

In November, a former Heritage Village caretaker alleged that residents were continually abused and nothing was done. In October, a Mesa woman, Becky Beibelheimer, said her mother was physically and verbally abused at Heritage Village.

In April, Joyce Dinet’s children told how they filed a lawsuit against Heritage Village after the 83-year-old died following an attack by her roommate.

“At the end of the day, everyone wants the same thing, and that is for our residents to be safe, happy and have the best possible quality of life,” said Langendoen. “A lengthy lawsuit would not have benefited anyone, least of all our residents. We are pleased to have resolved this matter by working with the Attorney General’s team, and we look forward to a smooth transition of operations under the Trustee’s supervision.”

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