Despite the fact that Russell Galbut’s paid butt kisser, lacky, spin doctor, attorney Ronald Lowy tried his hardest to convince me that my “innuendos” about Hebrew Homes Health Network, Inc. d/b/a Plaza Health Network, it’s Chief Executive William Zubkoff, and past Chairman of the Board Russell Galbut were completely fabricated, it certainly appears that the gentleman didst protest too much methinks.

Last year I wrote a blog, The Rise (and Fall?) of the Galbut Dynasty, that rankled Mr. Lowy so much that he actually posted a comment, albeit with a caveat that he usually doesn’t post comments on “on mud-raking articles of this sort.”

Lowy went on to say, “As a board member of the Plaza Health Network, I am uniquely familiar with the workings of the Plaza and must point out that the innuendos of the article are not accurate. First of all, the Plaza is a not-for-profit charitable board and Russell Galbut is not compensated for his services. The mere fact that a Plaza employee made crazy allegations, in hopes of getting Dr. Zubkoff fired so he can seek his Executive Director position (and a raise), does not warrant any conclusion of guilt absent evidence. What is noteworthy is that the Government sought and received all of the requested Plaza records more than a year ago and has not deemed it worthy of any indictment despite having more than sufficient time to investigate.”

I’m thinking that Wilfredo A. Ferrer didn’t get that particular memo because just today, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida announced in a news release “that Hebrew Homes Health Network, Inc., its operating subsidiaries and affiliates, and William Zubkoff, the former president and executive director of Hebrew Homes Health Network, Inc. (collectively Hebrew Homes), have agreed to pay $17 million to resolve allegations that Hebrew Homes violated the False Claims Act by improperly paying doctors for referrals of Medicare patients requiring skilled nursing care.  Hebrew Homes provided skilled nursing services at seven rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities in Miami-Dade County, Florida.  This is the largest settlement of alleged violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute paid by skilled nursing facilities in the United States.”

WAIT, WHAT?

So much for “mud-raking innuendos!”

And what of the “Plaza employee [who] made crazy allegations, in hopes of getting Dr. Zubkoff fired so he can seek his Executive Director position (and a raise)?”

Mr. Ferrer announced, “The settlement announced today resolves allegations made in a lawsuit filed by Stephen Beaujon, a former CFO of Hebrew Homes, under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private individuals to sue on behalf of the government for false claims and to share in any recovery.  Mr. Beaujon will receive $4,250,000.”

OMFG!

So much for “crazy allegations!”

And, while we’re at it, on that same blog, a person by the name of Anonymous commented:

Your misinformed and outrageously uneducated attempt at writing a blog in order to achieve some attention will only discredit you and your lack of writing abilities. Your uneducated views on how the world actually works makes this article nothing short of laughable. Your failed attack on a brilliant, fair and most importantly caring human being is just a show of your weak character. Make an attempt to do research prior to spewing your insanely one sided thoughts out to the world. Fortunately, the world does not care the least bit about your opinion and the fourteen people (if you’re lucky) that read this will have found some great toilet humor!

So thank you once again for your failed attempt at a blog post and I wish you a more patient and well thought out try for your next one.

For the record, not only did slightly more than “fourteen people” read this blog, but it is the SECOND MOST READ COLUMN in the history of VotersOpinion.com.  At press time, The Rise (and Fall?) of the Galbut Dynasty, has received 1,951 1,990 2,024 2,465 2,525 3,634 hits. (04/21/16 10:15 am)

And counting.

FYI, the most  read column is none other than the fabulous Tactical Response Team’s Lesson of the Day: The Universal Hot Crazy Matrix.

Yeah, that one was a keeper!

In a final note, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida noted that “The case is captioned United States ex rel. Beaujon v. Hebrew Homes Health Network, Inc., et al., Case No. 12-20951 CIV (S.D. Fla.).  The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.”

Still, nothing quite says “I’m guilty as sin” like coughing up SEVENTEEN MILLION DOLLARS in the hopes of making allegations go away.

Just saying.

Stephanie Kienzle
“Spreading the Wealth”