Three Indicted For Running Unlicensed Assisted Living Facilities

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — Three Baltimore residents were indicted Wednesday for operating unlicensed assisted living facilities, the Maryland Attorney General's Office announced. Charges in the indictment also include abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult, financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult, embezzlement, theft and fraud, according to a release.

The indictment stems from a 2015 investigation into Neiswanger Management Services LLC, a corporation that operated five nursing homes throughout Maryland. The investigation revealed that NMS was unlawfully discharging or “dumping” their nursing home patients at sham unlicensed assisted living facilities in the Baltimore area.

In October 2018, NMS settled with the state, agreeing to stop running nursing facilities and pay $2.2 million to the state. Subsequently, the state launched an investigation into the operators of the unlicensed facilities.

The investigation revealed financial exploitation of disabled facility residents, in addition to evidence of abuse and neglect. Search warrants recently conducted at the facilities revealed overcrowded homes and, in some instances, deplorable living conditions, including bed bugs and mice, according to a release.

The three people indicted were:

Troy Desante Brown, 44, of Baltimore — Brown is alleged to have operated unlicensed assisted living homes at 113 Allendale St. and 766 N. Grantley St. in Baltimore City.

He was indicted by the Grand Jury for Baltimore City in a 50-count indictment, and also by the Grand Jury for Baltimore County in a single count indictment. Charges in the indictments include operating an unlicensed assisted living facility, Medicaid fraud, felony theft scheme, extortion, exploitation of a vulnerable adult, embezzlement, forgery, welfare fraud, perjury and tax fraud.

Sharon Prunella Isaac, 52, of Baltimore — Isaac is alleged to have operated unlicensed assisted living homes at 6212 Norvo Rd. in Baltimore County, and 3905 W. Forest Park Ave., 1010 Walnut Ave., 2815 Ulman Ave., 3727 Overview Rd., 4009 Barrington Rd., and 3908 Boarman Ave. in Baltimore City.

Isaac was indicted by the Grand Jury for Baltimore City in a 51-count indictment, and also by the Grand Jury for Baltimore County in a separate 7-count indictment. Charges in the indictments include operating an unlicensed assisted living facility, Medicaid fraud, first degree assault, first degree abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult, felony theft scheme, extortion, embezzlement, exploitation of a vulnerable adult, identity fraud, forgery, perjury, welfare fraud and tax fraud.

Barbara Jean Parker, 60, of Baltimore — Parker is alleged to have operated an unlicensed assisted living home at 2817 Ulman Ave.

Parker was indicted by the Grand Jury for Baltimore City in a 14-count indictment, and also by the Grand Jury for Baltimore County in a separate 5-count indictment. Charges in the indictments include operating an unlicensed assisted living facility, felony theft scheme, identity fraud, exploitation of a vulnerable adult, embezzlement and tax fraud.

“These individuals operated predatory, unlicensed facilities, compromising the health and safety of vulnerable residents who were in their care. The conditions endured by the residents were often dirty, unsanitary and infested by vermin, and the residents’ medical needs often went unaddressed,” Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh said in a release.

Stevanne Ellis, state long-term care ombudsman, said she hopes this case raises awareness about the importance of choosing a licensed assisted living facility for loved ones. Anyone who resided or knows someone who resided in one of the homes operated by the defendants are asked to contact 888-743-0023.