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Lawsuit Claims Poor Care At Pasadena Mental Hospital

PASADENA (AP) — An employee of a Pasadena psychiatric hospital catering to rock stars and actors claims it provides substandard care.

The Los Angeles Times says the federal suit was filed last year by a mental health worker against Aurora Las Encinas Hospital and its owners. The suit, which was recently made public, cites a 2006 patient death and three more deaths and a rape at the hospital in 2008.

The suit alleges treatment failed to meet federal standards.

Hospital spokesman Eric Rose tells the Times that the claims are false.

The hospital, which charges as much as $1,600 a night for private rooms, was warned last year that it could lose federal funding unless it corrects some problems.

State officials also have accused a doctor and two nurses with negligence in connection with two deaths.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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