Statement from NJ Public Advocate Ronald K. Chen

on today’s ruling by Judge Maria Marinari Sypek

 I am very pleased with today’s decision which I believe clearly and forcefully articulates the right of the Department of the Public Advocate to conduct investigations that seek to ensure the rights of New Jersey’s elderly citizens living in assisted living facilities.

Read Judge's Decision: Court Enforces Public Advocate's Subpoena Against Assisted Living Concepts, Inc., 6/17/08 
 

Indeed,  I was particularly gratified by the Judge’s statement that the department would, in fact, be “doing a great disservice to the public” were we to fail to investigate the allegations brought to us about involuntary discharges of elderly residents living in Assisted Living Concepts facilities.

Further, Judge Sypek clearly concurs with our position that taking away an elderly person’s home when they are in an impoverished state, indeed because they are in an impoverished state, certainly merits a vigorous investigation of the facts by the Public Advocate.

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