September 26,
2007: Newsday probes political connections to “Sentosa 27” case
involving SBM Client
In the Sep 23, 24
and 26th editions of Newsday, the paper delves into the
political influence involved in a prosecution of Felix Vinluan, who is
represented by Sandback, Birnbaum and Michelen (SBM). Vinluan, an attorney, is charged with
 conspiracy
for allegedly advising several nurses at a Suffolk County nursing home
to simultaneously resign. The nurses are also charged with endangering
the welfare of the patients. SBM partner, Oscar Michelen, has filed a
motion to dismiss the charges which is pending before Judge Robert
Doyle in Suffolk Supreme Court, Riverhead. “The article confirms what
we have been saying from the beginning – that this is a politically
motivated, prosecution that is the first of its kind in this State and
maybe the country.” The nursing home is owned by SentosaCare, whose
lawyer
 is
a fundraiser for many big name politicians, including Chuck Schumer.
The article highlights that the Phillipine Government dropped its case
against SentosaCare after receiving a letter from Sen. Schumer in
support of SentosaCare. The article also contains quotes from the
nursing home’s former nursing administrator that the patient’s were
never left unattended or endangered by the nurses’ resignations. “This
case should have never been brought,” Michelen added. “It has
completely altered the lives of my client and the lives of his clients
–the nurses that were being mistreated by Sentosa. We fully expect to
be vindicated in a court of law.”
Additional links:
Filipino, nurse advocates support 10
nurses
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