Paul Nkoy Lumbi Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit

Help Law Group is reviewing claims related to the alleged sexual assault of elderly residents at Forest Hill Manor in Pacific Grove, California.

Paul Nkoy Lumbi Jr., a certified nursing assistant formerly employed at Forest Hill Manor, was arrested on August 14, 2025, following the announcement of felony charges by California Attorney General Rob Bonta. According to the criminal complaint filed in Monterey County Superior Court, three elderly residents were sexually assaulted on three separate occasions in 2024. Lumbi pleaded not guilty and has been held in custody on bail set at $2,710,000.

Residents who lived at Forest Hill Manor during the relevant period, and families who may have noticed unexplained changes in a loved one's condition or behavior, may have the right to pursue civil claims. Help Law Group advocates for those affected by elder abuse in long-term care settings and provides guidance on available legal options.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the arrest of Paul Nkoy Lumbi Jr. on August 14, 2025. A felony complaint had been filed in Monterey County Superior Court on August 7, 2025, charging Lumbi with seven felony counts tied to the alleged sexual assault of three elderly residents at Forest Hill Manor.

The charges include:

• Forcible lewd acts on a dependent adult

• Forcible rape

• Rape of a person incapable of giving consent

The complaint also includes enhancements. If convicted on all counts, Lumbi faces the possibility of life in prison and mandatory registration as a sex offender.

Lumbi pleaded not guilty at arraignment. He has been held in Monterey County Jail with bail set at $2,710,000. All three victims named in the complaint were under his direct care at the time of the alleged assaults.

The criminal complaint identifies three alleged victims by initials only: D.Z., J.W., and G.M. All three were 82-year-old dependent adults residing at Forest Hill Manor at the time of the alleged assaults. According to the complaint, none were capable of giving consent due to their medical conditions.

The alleged offenses occurred on three separate dates: March 15, 2024; July 7, 2024; and July 25, 2024.

Elder abuse survivors and their families often face additional barriers when it comes to speaking up. Cognitive decline, physical limitations, fear of retaliation, and dependence on facility staff for daily needs can all prevent residents from reporting what has happened to them. For families, changes in behavior, mood, or physical condition may only make sense in retrospect, after charges become public.

Forest Hill Manor, Pacific Grove 

Forest Hill Manor is a skilled nursing facility located inside the Pacific Grove Senior Living building. The facility is operated by BVHC, LLC; the building itself is overseen by Heritage Resource Group, a separate company. The alleged assaults against the three named victims occurred at this facility in 2024.

Cypress Ridge Care Center, Monterey 

At the time of his arrest, Lumbi was also employed at Cypress Ridge Care Center in Monterey. The Attorney General's office noted that Lumbi had worked at multiple care facilities throughout Monterey County prior to and during his time at Forest Hill Manor. Individuals who received care at Cypress Ridge or other Monterey County facilities where Lumbi worked and have concerns about treatment they experienced are encouraged to seek a case review.

Other Monterey County Facilities 

Public reporting confirms that Lumbi's employment extended across multiple facilities in Monterey County over time. The full scope of his employment history has not been publicly detailed as of this writing.

In elder care settings, individual misconduct rarely happens in isolation. Facilities have legal and ethical obligations to screen staff, provide supervision, and create reporting systems that allow residents and employees to raise concerns without fear. When those systems fail, abuse can go undetected for months or years.

In this case, several questions warrant attention:

• Whether adequate supervision was in place during the shifts when the alleged assaults occurred

• Whether background checks and prior employment history were reviewed before Lumbi was hired

• Whether Forest Hill Manor had functioning internal reporting procedures available to residents and staff

• Whether any warning signs or complaints were raised prior to the arrest and, if so, how they were handled

• Whether Cypress Ridge Care Center and other facilities where Lumbi was employed conducted sufficient oversight during his time there

Forest Hill Manor's administrator issued a statement following the arrest, indicating that the facility had notified authorities when the issue first came to light and was cooperating with the investigation. The facility also said Lumbi had resigned once the allegations surfaced. The statement did not address the facility's prior oversight or screening practices.

Civil liability in nursing home abuse cases often extends beyond the individual accused. Facilities and their operating companies can be held responsible when institutional failures, inadequate hiring practices, or lack of oversight contributed to the conditions that allowed harm to occur.

Can a civil lawsuit be filed separately from the criminal case?

Yes. The criminal case against Lumbi is a separate proceeding from any civil claims a resident or family may pursue. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil lawsuit. Civil claims can proceed alongside the criminal case and may involve different parties, including the facility and its operating company.

Who can file a civil claim?

Residents who experienced abuse or inappropriate conduct by Lumbi at Forest Hill Manor, Cypress Ridge Care Center, or another Monterey County facility where he worked may have grounds for a civil claim. Family members acting on behalf of a resident who cannot advocate for themselves, or on behalf of a loved one who has since passed, may also have legal standing depending on the circumstances.

What if a family member noticed warning signs but was not sure what was happening?

Uncertainty is common in elder care abuse situations, particularly when a resident has limited ability to communicate or when the harm is not immediately visible. Changes in mood, withdrawal, unexplained physical findings, or reluctance around certain staff members can all be significant. A legal review can help assess whether those observations fit a pattern worth examining further.

What can a civil claim pursue?

Civil claims in nursing home abuse cases can seek compensation for physical harm, emotional distress, medical expenses related to the abuse, and the loss of dignity and quality of life. Where institutional negligence contributed to the harm, claims may also address the facility's failures directly.

How long do families have to file?

California's statute of limitations for elder abuse claims involves specific timeframes that can vary depending on the nature of the claim and the parties involved. Time does not stop once charges are filed in the criminal case. Reaching out for a legal review as early as possible helps ensure no filing window closes before options are assessed.

The alleged conduct at Forest Hill Manor raises serious questions, not only about one individual but about the systems that were in place to prevent harm and the oversight failures that may have allowed it to go undetected. Residents in long-term care deserve protection. When that protection breaks down, families deserve answers and a path forward.

Help Law Group advocates for residents and families who have been harmed in elder care settings. Our team provides guidance on potential claims, helps identify which parties may bear legal responsibility, and works at a pace that respects where you and your family are in this process.

A case review with Help Law Group can address:

• Which facilities Lumbi worked at and during what periods

• What documentation may exist, including staffing records, incident reports, and medical logs

• Whether the facility's operating company bears responsibility alongside the individual charged

• What civil options exist under California law for residents and families

• How to proceed if a loved one cannot advocate on their own behalf or has since passed away

Reaching out does not start a lawsuit or notify the facility. Nothing you share in a review obligates you to take further action.