NEW YORK (AP) — Operators of four nursing homes in New York will pay $45 million to resolve allegations that they neglected and mistreated residents, including some who were forced to sit in their own urine and feces for hours, Attorney General Letitia James said. It was announced on Thursday.

Democrat filed a civil lawsuit last year He accused the owners and operators of Centers for Health Care of using Medicaid and Medicare funds to enrich themselves, their relatives and partners rather than using them for established care. James claimed understaffing at the homes contributed to neglect of care. He said residents were living in squalor and were left unsupervised, leading to injuries.

Under the agreement, the Centers and their owners will direct $35 million to improve resident care and staffing. $8.75 million will be awarded in compensation to the Medicaid and Medicare programs. According to the attorney general, independent auditors of operations and finance were appointed by the court shortly after the lawsuit was filed and the reforms began.

“Center owners operated nursing homes with understaffing so they could pocket the tens of millions of taxpayer dollars devoted to resident care,” James said in a prepared statement. “Residents have suffered tragic harm, and their families are often left in the dark or in despair about their loved ones.”

Centers said in a prepared statement that he was pleased to have the lawsuit resolved, which “dismisses all allegations of misconduct against Centers.”

“Over the past three decades, the Centers have provided care to thousands of residents across dozens of facilities while maintaining the highest standards of care and resident well-being,” the statement said. The statement was included. “We are committed to fully implementing the terms of the settlement, including a significant investment in residential maintenance.”