ROCKLAND, Maine — The city and state are investigating possible health care fraud and theft from a fitness center at a local inn.
No criminal charges have yet been filed as a result of the investigation that began more than two months ago, which involves a large sum of money, according to police.
An affidavit filed in Knox County Unified Court in Rockland by the Rockland Police Department revealed that the investigation began when the president of the Trade Winds Inn, Aimee Liberty, contacted police to report financial irregularities she had found at the fitness center at the inn.
Liberty reported to police that she initially found that for the past 18 months no cash deposits had been made from the tanning equipment. She then found emails that showed that MaineCare was seeking to collect $123,000 in overbilling paid to the fitness center by the state, according to the police affidavit. The Maine Attorney General’s Health Care Crimes Unit was investigating the matter, according to Rockland police.
A further review of financial records found that there were numerous purchases of equipment, far more than what was needed for the fitness center. The purchases included youth sports equipment such as for for ice hockey. There were also gift cards including ones for Southwest Airlines.
Liberty contacted the police on July 21 and a search warrant was issued by the court on Aug. 11 for financial records of an individual. Those records were seized on Sept. 7. The BDN is not naming the individual because he has not been charged with a crime.
Rockland police Sgt. Donald Finnegan said Thursday that the investigation continues.
The Trade Winds Inn was the subject of a segment filmed in February that aired this summer on the national cable television show “Hotel Impossible.”
The Trade Winds has 138 rooms, including 15 suites. There is an indoor pool, fitness center and restaurant in the hotel.