American Senior Communities fires chief executive

American Senior Communities announced Friday afternoon that it has fired CEO James Burkhart, whose Carmel home was raided by FBI agents early this week.

The lndianapolis-based nursing home operator did not explain the decision, and the FBI has not divulged the nature of its investigation. In a statement, the company said the probe "does not touch upon the operation of any nursing home serviced by ASC."

ASC has long-term care facilities throughout the state, including more than 30 in central Indiana. It is the largest member of the Indiana Health Care Association.

Burkhart, 50, had been CEO of the company at least seven years, regulatory filings show. He has worked in the nursing home industry since 1992 and before that was a manager at the accounting firm Ernst & Young for six years.

FBI and IRS agents spent several hours sifting through Burkhart's home on Tuesday. In a statement issued afteward by his attorney, Larry Mackey, Burkhart said: “Thorough oversight of health care costs in this nation is in every citizen’s interests, and ASC will be an active partner with the government in this investigation.

"ASC cares for thousands of residents in scores of facilities across Indiana and has built a decade-long record and reputation for excellence in caring for those most in need. We will keep our focus on our residents while we cooperate fully in this cost review.”