Shlomo Rechnitz

Brius Healthcare has for years been questioned by state regulators, prosecutors, and plaintiffs’ attorneys about its business practices and quality of care.[9] Staffing levels and health and safety ratings at dozens of the homes in recent years have fallen below the state average, federal data shows, with many lawsuits alleging poor patient care. Brius facilities have been investigated repeatedly for patient suicides and unsafe working environments.[10] In 2014, 23 nursing homes owned by Rechnitz received a total of 50 serious deficiencies graded G or higher by the federal government,[11] nearly triple the state average, according to a Sacramento Bee investigation.[8] In October 2015 the FBI raided one of his facilities, the Alta Vista Healthcare & Wellness Centre, in Riverside, California, "seeking evidence in relation to alleged criminal activity."[8] By 2016, state regulators denied operating licenses for five facilities the Brius network had acquired. In a letter to Rechnitz, regulators cited more than 370 higher-level state and federal health and safety violations at Brius homes from 2013 to 2016.[12]

Rechnitz has come under fire for using the billions of dollars received in Medicaid and Medicare payments to overpay related companies – companies they or their family members partially or wholly own – for goods, service, and rent instead of relying upon outside vendors.[10] Brius homes pay about 40 percent more per bed on average to related parties than other for-profit nursing homes in California. According to the 2014–2015 state filings, over $4.6 million was paid to companies associated with Rechnitz, including more than $3.5 million in lease payments on five properties. This all occurred at the same time as the company was trying to close the nursing homes claiming a loss of nearly $1.5 million.[13] In 2018, the most recent year data is available for comparison, Brius homes paid more than $100 million to dozens of related parties for everything from medical supplies to rent.[14][15] A California state auditor who reviewed Brius said most related-party transactions were properly disclosed and the expenses did not increase costs for Medi-Cal.[10]

• In August 2014 he made the claim there was a shidduch "catastrophe" in the Haredi world, where large numbers of young women were unable to find marriage partners.[16]
• In January 2016 he accused the Haredi community in Lakewood, New Jersey of developing “an elitist attitude, an ugly superiority complex" and acting in a way that borders on “bloodshed.” Its educational institutions, said Rechnitz, begin selecting children at a young age, and the rabbis and the community turn their backs on those who are not “good enough” or “not really worthy.” Children are left at home for weeks and months after being rejected by Haredi schools. Rechnitz promised to build more inclusive schools.[17]
• In October 2017 he called the Open Orthodox movement "fake Jews," a "threat to all of Israel," and a "new religion" jeopardizing Judaism. During the same speech he attacked liberal elements in Israel and the United States, including Women of the Wall and the protest movement against President Donald Trump.[18]

Shlomo Rechnitz is the President of Torath Emeth and he is the first chairman of the board for the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation.[30] On August 1, 2012, Rechnitz was the master of ceremonies of the 12th Siyum HaShas event at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The event attracted more than 90,000 people and celebrated the conclusion of the 7+1⁄2-year learning cycle of the Babylonian Talmud.[31]