The former owners of a long-troubled Mesa assisted living facility have been permanently prohibited from providing care to vulnerable adults in Arizona, following a settlement with the state over allegations of abuse, neglect, and consumer fraud.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced the agreement on Jan. 22, stating that the consent judgment ensures the individuals behind the facility formerly known as Heritage Village Assisted Living can no longer own, manage, or apply for a license to operate any health care business serving vulnerable adults in the state. The defendants—Gary and Tracy Langendoen and affiliated companies—must also pay $100,000 in civil penalties.
Mayes said the action was necessary after years of complaints and documented safety failures at the Mesa property, which she described as “one of the most notorious assisted living facilities in Arizona.” The state’s lawsuit accused the operators of violating both the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act and the Adult Protective Services Act, citing reports of violence, sexual assault, and unsafe conditions that placed residents at risk.
In 2024, the Attorney General’s Office successfully petitioned the court to place the facility into receivership, transferring control to an independent manager to stabilize operations and protect residents. The receiver, appointed in April 2024, oversaw immediate improvements and helped prevent the facility’s closure, which would have forced families to relocate residents on short notice.
The property has since been sold to new owners who, according to the Attorney General’s Office, have focused on restoring safety and quality of care. Mayes noted that her office has not received any consumer complaints since the change in ownership.
“Today’s settlement ensures that those responsible for the conditions at Heritage Village can never again put Arizona’s elderly at risk,” Mayes said.
The settlement comes as Arizona implements new statewide standards for memory care operations in assisted living facilities, part of a broader effort to strengthen protections for seniors.
Source AZ Family
