Owner of Fall River Assisted Living Facility Hit by Fire Has Had Previous Controversies

Owner of Fall River Assisted Living Facility Hit by Fire Has Had Previous Controversies

 

The Gabriel House in Fall River was engulfed by flames on Sunday night, and fire officials have now stated that nine deaths have been reported.

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Others were injured, and at least five firefighters were sent to the hospital for treatment.

The owner of the facility is tied to numerous businesses in Massachusetts and one in Rhode Island. He has also been the subject of previous legal actions.

The Gabriel House is licensed for 100 residents, according to Massachusetts state records.

 

Healthcare Facilities and Businesses in Multiple States

Gabriel House, according to Massachusetts corporate records and Fall River Tax records, is owned by Gabriel Care and that corporation is controlled by Dennis Etzkorn, who owns a number of healthcare facilities in Massachusetts and is listed as an officer to numerous corporations registered in Massachusetts.

His social media links him to a Rhode Island company — Acute Care, RI. The entity is not registered with the Secretary of State’s office, but is highlighted on his personal social media page.

Acute Care RI is a “'Shared Living' program offered in the state of Rhode Island, which pays people's family members a tax-free stipend to care for them at home," according to the site.

 

AG Cited Owner Etzkorn for Alleged Kickbacks

In 2012, Etzkorn and his adult foster care business were indicted for alleged kickbacks totaling more than $1.2 million, according to Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley's office.

In 2014, Charlie Baker’s campaign returned donations from Etzhorn, who lives in Medfield. 

There were also charges of discrimination.

Efforts to reach Etzkorn and his attorney, Blake Godbout, were unsuccessful.

 

 

Etzkorn’s Multiple Corporations

He is listed as an officer of multiple corporations. The healthcare facilities include Gabriel Care Adult Foster Care in Fall River, GAC Western Mass in Worcester, and Plymouth Center for Behavioral Health, to name a few.

Etzkorn is also listed as an officer of several real estate-related corporations, including Barnstable Properties.