Ex-health official accused of giving funds to psychic

Associated Press/July 23, 2015

East Lansing — The former head of a Calhoun County mental health organization is accused of giving $510,000 in public funds to a psychic palm reader in Florida under the guise of health care consulting.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette’s office said in a news release that 68-year-old Ervin Brinker was arraigned Wednesday on charges of Medicaid fraud conspiracy and embezzlement by a public official.

Brinker was fired in February as CEO of Summit Pointe, which is a mental health organization in Battle Creek established by Calhoun County. Summit Point board chair Trae Allman said in a statement that it contacted “appropriate authorities” after learning of spending irregularities.

Matthew Vicari, an attorney for Brinker, says the defense has worked “for some months now” with the attorney general’s office.

The Associated Press couldn’t reach Brinker because he has no listed phone number.

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