APNewsBreak: Brattleboro Retreat focus of criminal fraud probe, Vermont attorney general says

Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell confirms his office is conducting a criminal investigation of the Brattleboro Retreat. The probe follows a whistleblower's complaints about alleged Medicaid fraud at the private psychiatric hospital.

Sorrell acknowledged to The Associated Press last week that his office was investigating. His comments coupled with documents provided to the AP in response to public records requests show the probe has gone beyond the concerns first raised by former hospital employee Thomas Joseph.

Joseph was rebuffed by federal prosecutors and had his suit alleging Medicaid fraud dismissed by a federal judge last year. Joseph maintains Retreat staff changed many patient accounts to show a balance of zero when they should have shown refunds were due.

Retreat spokesman Jeff Kelliher says he thinks the federal judge had it right when he dismissed Joseph's complaints.