Five things to know about Gabriel House owner Dennis Etzkorn
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'Our thoughts are with every one of our residents, their families, our staff, and the brave first responders,' the statement said. 'I am grateful for the support the city of Fall River has shown to everyone affected by this tragedy.'
Here's what we know about Etzkorn:
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Etzkorn has owned Gabriel House for over 20 years
Gabriel House opened in 1999 on the site of a former motel, according to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging and Independence. State filings show that Etzkorn has been president and sole director of the house's operator, a company called Gabriel Care, since at least 2000.
Eztkorn owns and operates other facilities, according to state filings and
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Three months ago, he said in a LinkedIn post that he was searching for a mental health care professional to 'start a new mental healthcare clinic' in Fall River.
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Etzkorn is a native of Oklahoma and a graduate of Oklahoma State University, according to his LinkedIn. He currently lives in Medfield, town records show.
He has a history of political contributions
Etzkorn has made campaign contributions to several candidates and groups, according to state filings. His donation history includes Republican governors Mitt Romney and Charlie Baker, as well as several Democratic state lawmakers. Most recently, he made a $100 contribution to the Republican State Committee in 2021.
His political contributions drew public attention in 2014, when then-candidate Baker attended a fundraiser hosted by Etzkorn's wife,
Baker said at the time that his campaign would not deposit a check collected from the Etzkorns, per the report, after it emerged that Dennis Etzkorn had previously been indicted for Medicaid fraud.
Etzkorn was charged with illegally paying for MassHealth client referrals
In 2012,
Prosecutors said the alleged scheme generated 'in excess of $2 million improperly procured,' according to court records.
However, Superior Court judges ruled on two separate occasions that Attorney General Martha Coakley's office had obtained some financial records improperly.
After prosecutors were barred from using those documents in their case, the kickback charges against Etzkorn were dropped.
A court ruled he wrongfully fired a Gabriel House employee after a workplace dispute
In another court case, Etzkorn was found to have wrongly fired a female worker at Gabriel House in 2010 when she spoke up in support of a co-worker who was facing disciplinary action, records show.
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According to Bristol Superior Court records, Etzkorn and the managers of Gabriel House wanted health care professionals to sign noncompete agreements. The employee told co-workers that such agreements were illegal and was fired after she vowed to testify on behalf of a co-worker if necessary, according to the records.
The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination ruled in 2019 that Etzkorn had retaliated against the employee, records show. Etzkorn challenged the decision in Bristol Superior Court, but the judgment against him was affirmed. He was ordered to pay the woman $17,500 in lost income, $20,000 in damages, and $25,552 in attorney's fees at 12 percent interest.
Etzkorn's communication with Fall River mayor has been intermittent, according to mayor
Etzkorn did not return calls from Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan on Monday or Tuesday, the first two days after the fire, according to the mayor. But Etzkorn came to Coogan's City Hall office on Wednesday, Coogan said.
Coogan said he
'This was two days out, and he's the owner of that property,' Coogan said Friday. 'He should have been in constant contact with us.'
Since Wednesday, Coogan said he has been exchanging messages with Etzkorn.
Material from previous Globe coverage was used.
Camilo Fonseca can be reached at
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