"[2] The Lexington Nursing & Rehabilitation Center was shut in an emergency operation by authorities in March 2000 after a series of articles by The Chicago Tribune.
The Associated Press cited, "John Lumpkin, Illinois public health director, said the suspension of the Lexington Nursing and Rehabilitation Center’s license was necessary because of an ``immediate and serious threat″ to residents’ safety.
"[1] The nursing home was closed, "amid allegations that homeless drug addicts terrorized staff and elderly residents after arriving from Chicago to fill beds at the financially troubled center."
Benkin participated in efforts to release Bangladeshi journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, who was imprisoned after writing articles warning about the rise of Islamic radicals, and urging Bangladesh to recognize Israel.
Benkin said, "In almost seven years since [he] was arrested, the Bangladeshi government has not brought forward one scintilla of credible evidence against this journalist; and its sole 'witness' continues to not show up.
Wanting to help the Bangladeshi people and advance US-Bangladesh relations, Benkin was advised to accept the challenge because Bangladesh had recently taken positive steps.