GREENPORT, N.Y. — San Simeon by the Sound Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, a 120-bed skilled nursing facility on Long Island's North Fork, has accumulated $16,000 in state fines over the past four years following multiple inspection failures, including citations for not properly reporting and investigating allegations that staff members physically and sexually abused residents, according to New York State Department of Health records.
The facility was one of just nine Long Island nursing homes penalized by the NYSDOH last year, according to a Newsday investigation that first reported on the scope of fines across the region.
Abuse Allegations and State Citations
In December 2023, state regulators levied two separate fines totaling $4,000 against San Simeon stemming from abuse incidents that occurred earlier that year, according to state complaint survey records.
One citation involved a certified nursing assistant who was reportedly observed striking a resident across the face and physically forcing the resident back into bed, according to the state inspection report. The resident was described as having severe cognitive impairment and requiring hands-on physical assistance. After the facility became aware of the incident, the accused CNA was immediately suspended and the administrator and director of nursing notified the state Health Department. A second CNA who witnessed the abuse but did not promptly report it also faced disciplinary action, according to the records.
The second fine addressed the facility's failure to ensure adequate investigation of two sexual abuse allegations. State records describe a CNA who allegedly asked a resident to disrobe and propositioned the resident while they were in bed, touching the resident's thigh. The resident, who reported feeling frightened, disclosed the incident to a social worker. State inspectors cited San Simeon for failing to properly investigate and document the allegations, according to NYSDOH records.
In a separate incident, the state imposed an additional $2,000 fine in September 2024 after inspectors discovered dangerously hot water temperatures approaching 128 degrees Fahrenheit in the facility, as reported by the Suffolk Times. No injuries were reported, but the citation noted the facility failed to protect residents from burn risks.
San Simeon administrator Chaim Kushner did not respond to a request for comment from the Suffolk Times.
CMS Inspection History
Federal inspection data paints a broader picture of regulatory concerns at San Simeon. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services assigns the facility an overall rating of just 1 out of 5 stars — the lowest possible score. Its health inspection rating also sits at 1 star, while staffing earns 2 stars. The facility's quality measures rating of 4 stars stands in contrast to its otherwise poor performance metrics.
CMS records show 20 deficiencies documented across five federal inspections. The most recent federal survey, conducted in November 2022, flagged the facility on five separate deficiency tags. Inspectors cited San Simeon for failing to timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and for not responding appropriately to alleged violations — findings that mirror the pattern of state-level citations that followed in 2023 and 2024.
That same federal inspection also identified a severity level G deficiency — indicating actual harm to residents — for failing to maintain an environment free from accident hazards and provide adequate supervision. Additional citations addressed failures in maintaining residents' functional abilities and providing appropriate continence and catheter care.
The alignment between federal and state findings suggests a persistent pattern rather than isolated incidents: repeated failures in abuse reporting, resident protection, and environmental safety spanning multiple inspection cycles.
Ownership & Operations
San Simeon operates as a for-profit corporation. Originally established in Greenport in the 1970s on property owned by St. Peter's Lutheran Church along County Road 48, the facility has faced significant financial turbulence in recent years, according to Suffolk Times reporting.
In 2023, the nursing home announced it would be forced to permanently close by February 2024 due to financial difficulties compounded by years of pandemic-related challenges, chronic staffing shortages, and escalating operational costs, as previously reported by the Suffolk Times. The closure did not materialize, and the facility continues to operate under what is reportedly an entirely new management team and board of directors, though this leadership transition has not been reflected on the facility's website, according to the Suffolk Times.
The facility's October 2025 evacuation and temporary shutdown following a smoke incident that revealed additional safety violations added another chapter to its troubled operational history, as reported by the Suffolk Times.
San Simeon is not alone among East End nursing homes facing state penalties. The Hampton Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Southampton received a $10,000 fine in 2022 for failures related to sexual abuse protection, and Westhampton Care Center was fined $14,000 that same year for multiple violations including PPE failures and inadequate shower assistance that led to a resident head injury, according to NYSDOH records reviewed by the Suffolk Times.
Resources for Families
Families with concerns about care at San Simeon by the Sound or any New York nursing facility have several avenues for reporting and assistance.
The New York State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates for residents and can be reached at 1-855-582-6769. Ombudsman representatives can help families understand their rights, file complaints, and navigate the regulatory process.
Concerns can also be reported to the NYSDOH directly through its nursing home complaint hotline. The National Elder Care Locator, reachable at 1-800-677-1116, connects families with local services and support resources.
Federal law requires nursing homes to maintain systems for reporting and investigating abuse allegations, and residents have the right to be free from physical, verbal, and sexual abuse. Families who suspect mistreatment should document concerns in writing, notify the facility's administration, and contact state regulators if the response is inadequate.