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France to file criminal complaint against care group Orpea

French Health Ministry says an investigation into the care home group found "significant dysfunctioning" in its management "to the detriment of the care of its residents".

La rédaction de Mediapart

This article is freely available.

The French government plans to file a criminal complaint against home care group Orpea over allegations of mistreatment of elderly patients, government minister Brigitte Bourguignon said in a statement Saturday, reports US New & World Report

Following a month and a half-long investigation into the group's management and financial practices, the government found "significant dysfunctioning in the group's management, to the detriment of the care of its residents," according to the health ministry.

The government said it would send its conclusions to state prosecutors and seek to recover public funds provided to the company after uncovering possible irregularities in how they were used.

Orpea responded later on Saturday that while the government report "does shed light on certain dysfunctions," it also "allows us to conclude that there is no organised 'system' that would lead to widespread abuse."

Read more of this report from s US New & World Report