PIGEON -- It’s the talk of the town; the FBI blows the whistle on a local business owner who allegedly embezzled thousands from the elderly and disabled.
Charlotte Bieri is the CEO of Seasons Change Home Healthcare Company in the small community town of Pigeon.
Officials said over several years she has over charged her clients and pocketed the money.
“Big action, yeah were all like curious what's going on and all that," said resident Carrie Pedler.
Wednesday morning FBI agents; the Department of Health and Human Services; and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan investigators; raided 3 businesses in Pigeon and Caseville and Bieri's home; searching for evidence of fraud.
"I’m sure it's went on for quite some time, for the amount of people to have gathered from the different agencies to come up here, I’m sure this just didn't happen over night and I can suspect their looking for documents or anything, I guess that could create a paper trail for the fraud that's apparently being alleged here," said Kelly J. Hanson.
Bieri's home care company spans out to the tri-city areas and provides professional care to the elderly. She took over the family business and has a well known reputation in the community.
‘We care for yours just like they're ours’ was the slogan of Seasons Change Home Healthcare, but police authorities say apparently that wasn't the case.
As agents raided her home and offices, witnesses said they were surprised to hear of the allegations.
"About 7 to 8 guys came running up to the building and they ran out front, things were banging around up stairs and it was odd, and we knew something was definitely going on," said Pedler.
While officials aren't releasing the total amount of money stolen, it's expected to be somewhere in the hundred thousands.
The company is likely to face massive penalties for Medicare fraud charges.
A source told NBC25 news, the raid was such a huge operation, a moving truck was needed to transport records seized from the business.
Bieri has a six month old baby.
She is currently in Hawaii on her honeymoon.
The FBI hasn't filed any charges against her yet as the investigation continues.
