Manager of Hollywood nursing home where six died has history of fraud charges

Sept. 13--The manager of a Hollywood nursing facility where six people died Wednesday during a power outage caused by Hurricane Irma has a history of health care fraud charges.

Dr. Jack Michel, who is listed as the manager of The Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills with the Florida Division of Corporations, was the target of federal and state health fraud claims, according to the Department of Justice.

In 1997, government prosecutors alleged Michel, along with five other individuals, received kickbacks for admitting patients to Miami'sLarkin Community Hospital for unnecessary medical treatment. Prosecutors alleged some of the patients came from assisted living facilities owned by Michel.

Larkin purchased Larkin Community Hospital in 1998, according to the Department of Justice.

Michel and three other settled the case in 2006 for $15.4 million.

Michel declined to comment when contacted Wednesday.

Nursing home regulators, during a February 2016 inspection, cited the nursing home for violating regulations regarding generator maintenance and testing, along with other safety code issues such as fire protective construction around exits. State records show the facility managers had corrected those violations the following month.

In 2015, Hollywood Hills Rehabilitation Center sought Chapter 11 protection along with two related companies. High Ridge Management Corp., the landlord of Hollywood Hills and Hollywood Pavilion, estimated 10 million to 50 million in assets and debt.

wdusenbury@sun-sentinel.com; On Twitter @dusereport

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