Advocate bashes ‘ Justice Center’ agency

ALBANY ( AP) — A man whose autistic son died in state care said a deal announced to better protect disabled people in state facilities will only perpetuate abuse and cover- ups because the bill won't create true independent oversight of the system.

" It's a political stunt," said the advocate, Michael Carey, of the deal struck by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders and announced Sunday night. " The bill is a disaster. I call it a fraudulent scheme ... it deceives families."

Carey said Monday that the bill to create the " Justice Center" agency makes the same mistake as past reform efforts: It puts oversight in the hands of the governor, whose executive branch runs the system. The Legislature is expected to pass the measure this week.

" This is about total control," Carey told reporters. " Their motivation is to protect themselves from lawsuits."

The agreement struck behind closed doors between Cuomo and legislative leaders seeks to end years of abuse, death and accusations of coverups in the state system.

Cuomo said there were more than 10,000 allegations of abuse against disabled New Yorkers in state- funded facilities last year. The New York Times has reported more than 1,200 deaths in the facilities over the past decade were blamed on unnatural or unknown causes.

About 1 million youths and adults are cared for in the system that includes contracts to nonprofit agencies caring for the mentally ill, physically disabled and those with special needs, including New Yorkers with autism.

Jonathan Carey, 13, was asphyxiated in 2007 when an aide sat on him and covered his mouth with his hand after the boy undid his seatbelt in a van during an outing to an Albany- area mall, according to court papers. His parents sued, discovering the aide had a criminal record, as well many abuse reports involving other aides within the system. Jonathan's aide was later convicted of manslaughter and the Careys won a $ 5 million settlement from the state, which funds a foundation and their continuing reform efforts.