Monday, March 13, 2023
The Michael Briar facility on Wickenden Street. Photo: GoLocalProv
A leader in the Rhode Island treatment and recovery community says patients continue to be affected by the recent arrest of Michael Briar, the operator of the Recovery Connect Center of America.
Additionally, Adam Camperon of the Rhode Island Saboson Clinic said after noting that GoLocal had previously reported that when Briar opened the treatment center he was already a convicted felon, “a big “There were red flags,” he told GoLocal.
As GoLocal reported in 2016 in “Concerns Raised by Wickenden Street Convicted Felon Saboson Clinic,” Briar, a former tax accountant in Rhode Island, said that before opening a suboxone therapy clinic, had been sentenced by the Department of Justice to 27 months in federal prison. at Foxpoint.
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On March 2, 2022, Brier was arrested by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for billing fraud and other charges in what the FBI described as “one of the most audacious and egregious examples of healthcare fraud.” [they had] Saw it in Rhode Island. ”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office provided resources to patients in the arrest announcement, but not enough, Camperone said, including encouraging patients needing new or immediate bridge prescriptions to call (401) 606-545. Told.
“[Brier] More than 1,500 patients have been accumulated,” said Campellone. “Government agencies are trying [to reach them] It wasn’t very effective. ”
“We are getting feedback that it is difficult to serve this population. [patients] Camperone, the government official who seized two Briar clinics in Rhode Island, said: “We are doing our best to serve them.”
According to Camperone, people who need help should: risuboxoneclinic.com Or call 228-2793.
“All of this could probably have been prevented,” Camperone said.
Briar’s past
As GoLocal reported in 2016:
Michael Brier, who pleaded guilty in 2013 to underreporting more than $1 million in income and violating a federal court order that permanently barred him from preparing tax returns for others, was sent to Providence for Recovery in June. Established Connection. The Opioid and Drug Addiction Problem,” at the same place where his tax preparation services were.
In addition, former partners are involved in the new business. Jeffrey Sroufe was also barred from tax work by the Justice Department. Currently, according to filings with the RI Secretary of State, Brier is the Founder of the Recovery Connection and is a Director and Registered Agent.
“Fundamentally, as a small business owner, finding out that a tax preparer has been arrested for fraud is not good news at all,” said Briars client Chris Daltrey of Providence. said. “Maybe he’s converted, but based on his history, I can’t say he’s entirely reliable.”
Briar was less than pleased to hear that someone was concerned. come and ask me
