AUGUST 05, 1998 - The Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services (CIS) Deputy Director Ron Basso today announced that the troubled St. James Nursing Center in Detroit has a new owner. CIS has received notice that Mohamed Qazi has finalized the purchase of the 150 bed facility.

"This is good news for the both the residents and the employees at St. James," said Basso. "We have every confidence that this new owner is committed to providing quality care and will be successful in turning this facility around."

The new owner is fully aware that the CIS-issued order will continue to be in effect at the facility and is working closely with the department and the CIS-appointed temporary manager to remedy the numerous care problems at the facility.

Late last month the department issued an order requiring the center to accept a temporary manager from the Michigan Public Health Institute to direct care at the facility and address the problems uncovered during recent inspections. The order remains in effect for a minimum of six months.

St. James' former owner is Hari Mali who also owns the Venoy Nursing Center that CIS closed earlier this summer.

Read more Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services press releases.