Marlon Meyer
Northwest Asia Weekly
Former CEO Bridgette Takeuchi
Keiro Northwest’s March 1 apology to its former CEO Bridgette Takeuchi included a statement about her “false narrative” claiming she was responsible for closing the community nursing home. But some are familiar with the claims of the controversial side of the organization she filed the lawsuit.
Her attorneys had not responded to multiple emails and phone calls seeking clarification by press time.
The press release appears to be intended to mark the end of a disastrous closing chapter for the nursing home, which was founded 60 years ago as a sanctuary for older Japanese Americans but has recently fallen into significant financial distress.
Former board member Matt Chan said the closure of the nursing home and the disruption to the lives of its residents – including the deaths of some and the loss of precious community assets – marked a “black spot in the nursing home’s history” “. Japanese American community.
“It’s 20 to 20 years old in hindsight, and you can always go back and try to say who did what or should have done,” he said. “But ultimately, that should provide closure for some people.”
The statement was made by the current Keiro board, which has not had a single overlapping member since Takeuchi was CEO.
Still, it said she opposed closing the Keiro nursing home and even sought a “coalition” to keep the place afloat.
“In 2019, the Keiro Rehabilitation Care Center closed. It was the result of years of operating losses and sweeping changes to the nursing home industry. Keiro’s board of directors made the decision to close in April 2019, against the advice of Keiro’s then-CEO Bridgette Takeuchi, who Shocked and dismayed by this decision,” the statement said.
The press release included a statement that Takeuchi suffered emotional distress as a result.
“It caused her enormous emotional damage and made her feel unwelcome in our community to which she has devoted her life,” it said.
It said the current board hopes the recognition “will begin a healing process”.
However, some people have reservations about the press release.
Dale Kaku, a board member during Takeuchi’s tenure as CEO, said that blaming her was never discussed, and there was no campaign to make such a claim.
“In the board meetings I attended, no one on the board accused her,” he said.
Chan joined the board at one of the most chaotic times, when Keiro faced multiple offers, reiterated.
“When I was on the board, I wasn’t aware of any ‘false narratives’,” he said.
Yvonne Kinoshita Ward, a lawyer involved in the lawsuit against one of the witnesses who was not authorized to be named, has challenged the portrayal of Takeuchi’s character in the last few months.
According to Ward, Takeuchi “undermined” the early deal the board was considering with Aspen that would keep the nursing home open and community members make up 40 percent of the new board. Instead, through various conspiracies and alliances, Takeuchi pushed for a deal with Transforming Age, which had agreed to let the executives stay, Ward said.
At press time, Takeuchi’s lawyers were unable to independently corroborate or clarify the statements.
Ward expressed outrage at Takeuchi’s claims of emotional distress. She said Takeuchi took the job knowing the organization was struggling financially and vowed to do the right thing.
“It’s annoying to read this news statement about her being severely emotionally hurt. What about the emotional damage to the residents who lost their homes? Or the emotional damage to the community, the loss of the ability to keep loved ones around and be cared for? What about the emotional damage done to all the employees who lost their jobs?”
Ward also said Takeuchi’s high salary seemed unreasonable, something not every board member knew.
In April 2019, bylaws were changed to allow a small four-member compensation committee to decide Takeuchi’s salary, former board vice president Monica Nixon said in a deposition.
Supporters claim Takeuchi’s salary is based at least in part on her filling two positions and shutting down the community during a period of extreme chaos.
Meanwhile, the current board hopes to fill Nikkei Manor, an assisted living community run by Keiro. While the community had a waiting list before the pandemic, it has been eradicated by COVID-19.
Still, current chairman Carol Kessler said if all the rooms were full, Nikkei Estate would still be able to operate entirely on residents’ income and donations.
“That’s why we’re working so hard to fill their vacancies right now,” she said in a follow-up email.
Kessler initially answered questions about the $11 million Keiro Northwest received when he sold the nursing home property to private real estate firm Shelter Holdings in 2019.
Despite widespread speculation and concern in the community that the money was either being absorbed by Keiro or used to keep Nikkei Manor running, she assured that the money had been put to good trust.
“By using the word ‘trustee’, our board of directors will use investment funds to support Nikkei Estate’s finances when needed,” she said.
Mahlon can reach info@nwasianweekly.com.
