Ebensburg, Pa -- Cambria County officials fired a company running a county-owned nursing home after the health care company questioned the management of the home and joined a lawsuit to force a $6.2 million sale of the home.

County commissioners on Tuesday sent Grane Healthcare a letter saying they would end their contract with the Pittsburgh-based company at the end of June.

Grane was hired to manage the 552-bed Laurel Crest Rehabilitation and Special Care Clinic after the county agreed to sell the home to Johnstown-based Conemaugh Health System for $6.2 million.

But commissioners on April 15 backed out of the sale amid opposition from residents and workers who filed a lawsuit. Commissioners said Conemaugh did not honor workers' contracts.

Cambria County officials have sought to sell the home for more than two years, citing $10 million in losses over the past 11 years.

Since the sale was canceled, Grane officials criticized the county's management, saying taxpayers faced a "fiscal disaster" if the nursing wasn't turned around. Grane also joined Conemaugh Health in a lawsuit to force the sale through.

Grane officials said they were acting in the best interests of residents.