CHICAGO (AP) — Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner (ROW’-nur) is responding to claims that a long-term care company tied to his former private equity firm faced claims of resident mistreatment.

The venture capitalist’s firm launched American Habilitation Services as a for-profit company in 1996. The Springfield bureau of Lee Enterprises reports allegations against American Habilitation Services include fatalities and “deplorable” living conditions.