Sovereign rehab sues federal agents claiming abuses in June raids

Oct. 03--Workers and clients of Sovereign Health of California rehab centers filed a civil rights lawsuit Monday, Oct. 2 accusing federal agents of overstepping their authority in a series of raids in June looking for evidence of insurance fraud.

The suit said six properties were raided by an "aggressive and disorganized mob" of more than 150 agents wearing flak jackets, carrying guns and using "SWAT-like tactics."

"There was no reasonable basis for the agents to believe their brazen tactics were an acceptable means of obtaining evidence regarding allegations of nonviolent, white-collar offenses," said the lawsuit. "As one agent ultimately admitted, they were meant to 'send a message' to Sovereign and its CEO, Dr. Tonmoy Sharma, and perhaps to other substance abuse treatment providers."

The U.S. Department of Justice declined comment on the suit.

The searches focused on Sovereign operations in San Clemente, Culver City and Palm Desert. Authorities filed the search warrant affidavits under seal, frustrating Sovereign officials who complained that they didn't fully know why they were being investigated or whether authorities were relying on credible evidence.

The suit said a 56-year-old employee with knee injuries rendering her legally handicapped was forced by a federal agent to kneel, causing her more injury. Other patients were forced outside of the centers and into the triple-digit heat, the suit said.

The suit alleged that employees were interrogated and denied access to legal counsel.

The lawsuit was filed against 10 unnamed agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Health and Human Services -- Office of Inspector General, Internal Revenue Service, California Department of Health Care Services and local police and sheriff's departments.

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