American Notes INVESTIGATIONS

To the managers of two New York City nursing homes, Muriel Clark was a timid elderly woman whose son was determined to get her admitted, even if he had to fork over tens of thousands of dollars in "contributions" to do so. Little did they suspect that Clark, 81, was a volunteer state investigator. Clark's successful deception led to the arrests of three nursing-home officials for illegally soliciting donations in exchange for preferential treatment.

A feisty retired social worker who has remained active in social causes, Clark stepped into the spotlight last week. As State Deputy Attorney General Edward Kuriansky tells the tale, she agreed in 1984 to visit the homes, posing as a would-be patient and accompanied by a state investigator who played her son. Last week she said the job was not so tough. If so, sharpies beware: do not trust anyone over 80.