LAKEWOOD, Wash. — The state has temporarily shut down three drug and alcohol recovery centers in Pierce County, publishing a scathing report saying leadership has engaged in corrupt practices that put patients at risk.
KING 5 spoke to multiple former employees of Rainier Recovery about the alarming accusations. The employees said the centers should not be in operation under current ownership and they hope the Rainier Recovery centers permanently shut down.
“I'm very grateful that there's finally been at least something happening,” said one former employee, who asked for their identity to be concealed.
Rainier Recovery operates three drug and alcohol recovery centers in Lakewood, Puyallup, and Gig Harbor, serving more than 450 patients, many who are court ordered to receive treatment.
On Nov. 26, the state temporarily closed all three centers by suspending their licenses.
The report states: “Rainier Recovery management’s corrupt practices are motivated by financial considerations instead of the clinical needs of the patients and the needs of the criminal justice system to accurately monitor the patient’s treatment status.”
This sentiment echoed by former employees echo the sentiment.
“In the behavioral health world, there are people who are in it for the right reasons and have good hearts,” said a former employee. “And there are other people who are in it to make money off of the backs of very vulnerable people, and that was what was happening.”
The report states Rainier Recovery has "placed the health and safety of the public at risk for serious injury, harm, impairment, or death."
The investigation by the Washington State Department of Health found the owner of the center employed counselors who lacked required education, training and oversight and that there were irregularities with reports.
“It's important that you have the education and experience to back up what you're doing so you don't hurt people,” said the former employee.
The documents include accusations from a patient, that the owner sexually abused the patient's ex-girlfriend, and that the staff member was afraid they would be fired if they reported the accusation.
Another employee, who also asked for their identity to be concealed, told KING 5 some workers were afraid to report their experiences, due to fear of retaliation and added:
"Rainier Recovery should not be back open, it needs to be closed permanently or given to someone who can rename it and run it ethically and correctly."
KING 5 spoke to the owner, Jeremiah Dunlap on the phone, who said: "I would never do anything illegal or unethical for financial gain."
The attorney representing Dunlap said in a statement: "Mr. Dunlap and Rainier Recovery deny having knowingly engaged in any wrongdoing. We believe the administrative process will find the allegations unfounded."
For now, the licenses of the centers are temporarily suspended, but some former employees hope it closes for good.
“It's quite imperative to the health of Tacoma, Lakewood, and Pierce County in general, that he never be allowed to provide services to anybody ever again,” said the former employee.
The suspension was enacted last week, and the owner has 28 days to request a show cause hearing to dispute the suspension of its license.
Rainier Recovery is connecting patients with other recovery centers in the area so that they can continue treatment.