L.A. Sues Nonprofit Assisted-Living Homes Over Conditions

Los Angeles’ city attorney filed suit Tuesday against the operators of two homes for the physically and mentally disabled, alleging the unlicensed facilities forced residents to live in cramped, crumbling facilities, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The suit follows a judge’s order Friday appointing a receiver to relocate residents from Agape Mission House and Agape Home Church. According to court documents, Kang Won Lee and Jung Hwan Lee, who operated the homes, took residents’ government benefits while subjecting them to “deplorable” living conditions and punishing those who did not attend twice-daily worship services.

While both homes were registered charities, authorities said the Lees never obtained a license for a group facility at one of the properties and lost their license for the other last year. The couple not be reached for comment.