A criminal investigation into one Pennsylvania nursing home led to an indictment against a related facility’s former administrator, who now faces federal charges for inflating staff reports.

Susan Gilbert, 60, of Lawrence, PA, a previous administrator at Mount Lebanon Rehabilitation and Wellness Center in Mt. Lebanon, PA, was indicted on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States, healthcare fraud and obstruction of a federal audit on Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office and U.S. Attorney’s Office announced. 

Officials allege that from October 2018 through February 2020, Gilbert “and/or co-conspirators” directed facility employees to falsify records to give the appearance the provider met federal and state staffing requirements. 

The scheme allegedly included having employees clock-in and be paid for shifts they did not work; keeping two sets of books reflecting staffing levels, with one containing accurate information and the other falsified records; and falsifying staffing documents for federally mandated inspections. 

The investigation against Mt. Lebanon stems from a broader ongoing examination for criminal neglect involving the Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center in Beaver, PA. Both facilities are a part of the same ownership structure under Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services LLC, which operates multiple long-term care facilities in the state, according to Pennsylvania AG Josh Shapiro’s office. That facility was fined $62,000 in June for infection control deficiencies for its coronavirus response. 

A request for comment from Comprehensive Healthcare by McKnight’s Long-Term Care News for was not returned by production deadline. 

“These crimes put facility residents at risk by only providing a dangerously low amount of nursing staff just before COVID began to surge across the country,” Shapiro said in a statement. “Our ongoing investigation will hold nursing and long-term care facilities criminally accountable wherever we find evidence someone neglected a resident.” 

“These criminal charges represent the first step in holding accountable those who put profit over the health and safety of seniors,” said U.S. Attorney Scott Brady added.

Gilbert could face up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of $250,000 if found guilty.