ROCKLAND — A fitness center at a Rockland inn has been under investigation for over two months by Rockland police and the state for possible theft and health care fraud.

At this time, police have not charged anyone with the crimes.

According to the affidavit filed by the Rockland Police Department in Knox County Unified Court, the investigation began when Aimee Liberty, president of the Trade Winds Inn, met with Detective Sgt. Russell Thompson in July regarding financial discrepancies she discovered at the fitness center and spa.

Liberty had concerns with the financial status of the center when she had to make payroll for its employees from the hotel’s account instead of a separate account with the health center. She then discovered that for approximately the past 18 months, no cash deposits had been made from the use of the spa tanning equipment. Additionally, she found that an individual was concealing emails from the state concerning MaineCare, which was overbilled and paid approximately $123,000 to the fitness center, according to the court documents.

The Maine Attorney General’s Health Care Crimes Unit has opened an investigation into the fraud.

Liberty also found numerous transactions on the business credit card of equipment purchases that exceeded what was needed for the cliental using the facility, according to the court documents. Other items that were purchased included youth sports gear, child related toys, furnishings and gift cards including those for Southwest Airlines.

A search warrant was issued on Aug. 11, 2016 by Judge Susan Sparaco for the financial records of an individual. Records of credit card transactions and email account information were seized on Sept. 7.

The investigation is still ongoing, said Rockland Police Sgt. Don Finnegan Oct. 11.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com