Los Angeles County will investigate the sale of a group of Japanese retirement homes in Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights, and Gardena. The Board of Supervisors passed a motion to direct county officials to investigate the sale of Keiro Nursing Home, Keiro Intermediate Care Facility, and Keiro Retirement Home and South Bay Keiro Nursing Home to real estate developer Pacifica Companies, Rafu Shimpo reports.
The sale of the nursing homes has come under scrutiny from politicians and activists. Keiro is regarded by supporters as being culturally sensitive to the needs of Japanese elderly people they serve. Protestors of the sale fear the sale is a plan by Keiro management to cash out at the expense of the retirement residents. Keiro previously commented saying that their financial future is uncertain amid a changing healthcare landscape and now is the right time to sell.
Real estate consultant Ray Hamaguchi tells Rafu Shimpo that the land that Keiro Retirement Home sits on in Boyle Heights is valued at $9 million. He adds it could sell for up to $25 million amid the growing landscape of Los Angeles development.
The County will investigate civil rights complaints, fraud allegations, employment rights for Keiro workers, and will prepare a letter to Attorney General Kamala Harris urging her to review the sale of the retirement homes.
Photo above: L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis. She and Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas sponsored the motion to investigate the Keiro sale.
