complaints These searches are being conducted as part of a preliminary investigation into “institutional abuse”
This archive photograph taken on February 10, 2022 shows the logo of an Orpea retirement home, in Reze near Nantes, in the west of the France. — AFP
The group of private nursing homes Orpea presented its transformation plan on Tuesday, trying to convince that it could raise the bar and clean up its practices and finances. And at the same time several searches were carried out. launched in establishments of the group, within the framework of a preliminary investigation for “institutional mistreatment” led to Nanterre, indicated the prosecution, confirming information from Mediapart.
These searches, “carried out throughout France”, must “spread out “over several days” a source familiar with the matter, the gendarmes of the Central Office for the fight against attacks on the environment and to health (Oclaesp) targeting a total of “several dozen establishments” from Orpea. Contact by AFP, Orpea ensured to be “mobilized to support ongoing investigations.
Orpea, present in 23 countries and which manages more than 350 establishments in France, has been in turmoil since the publication in January of the investigative book Les Fossoyeurs, written by journalist Victor Castanet. The journalist denounces mistreatment of residents, misuse of public funds and shortcomings in personnel management.
Following two administrative inquiries, the government had made a report to Justice. At the end of April, a survey at two shutters, one for « institutional abuse » and the other for financial offenses » », had been opened by the Nanterre public prosecutor's office. These investigations had been attached to; a survey already in progress for offenses against; labor legislation.
The institutional mistreatment component is based in particular on some fifty complaints from families of residents for “endangering the lives of others” “non-assistance to person in danger, “manslaughter” and “negligent abuse”. Lawyer Sarah Saldmann represents a large majority. “These searches are a good thing, it may help to bring to light some possible and unidentified actions so far,” she said. to l’AFP.
At the same time, Orpea complaint against X and a preliminary investigation was carried out. open mid-May, in particular for misuse of corporate assets.