Oakmont Senior Living to pay $500,000 to settle state, county investigation into abandonment of seniors during 2017 wildfires

The operator of two elder care homes in Santa Rosa where staff abandoned frail residents during the 2017 October firestorm has agreed to pay $500,000 to settle an unlawful business practices civil lawsuit filed jointly by the state Attorney General and Sonoma County District Attorney’s offices.

Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch and Attorney General Xavier Becerra accused Windsor-based Oakmont Senior Living and related companies involved in the ownership and operation of Varenna and Villa Capri of leaving residents behind during the firestorm “with no means to evacuate themselves,” according to a press release announcing the settlement Thursday.

The Tubbs fire destroyed Villa Capri and damaged Varenna, both located in Santa Rosa’s Fountaingrove neighborhood. Residents were rescued by relatives and emergency responders who discovered they were left behind.

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