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Shuttered Brunswick mental health agency files for bankruptcy

Bangor Daily News (ME) - 5/25/2016

May 25--BRUNSWICK, Maine -- Nearly two months after Merrymeeting Behavioral Health Associates abruptly closed its doors, leaving nearly 200 employees out of work and more than 400 clients who suffer from severe mental illness without services, the chief executive officer on Wednesday filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection on behalf of the corporation.

No personal bankruptcy documents have been filed to date under Jim Talbott's name, although he is listed as a co-debtor in the corporation's filing.

Alexander Katopis of Portland, president, treasurer and clinical director; and Kacie Parker of Lewiston, vice president, secretary and human resources director, also are listed as general partners or shareholders of the corporation.

The corporation, which provided case management, therapy and support services, claims $107,332 in assets and $266,636 in liabilities owed to between 200 and 999 unsecured creditors, including nearly 200 former employees.

Among secured creditors, Merrymeeting Behavioral Health Associates owes Payroll Management of Auburn$198,577. According to the filing, Payroll Management already has filed suit against the corporation seeking to recoup those funds.

An automated message on Talbott's home phone Wednesday morning said he is not accepting phone calls at that number. Portland attorney David J. Perkins, who represents Talbott, did not immediately return a call for comment Wednesday morning.

According to court documents, Merrymeeting Behavioral Health Associates leased its headquarters at 76 Pleasant St. in Brunswick from Triple T Realty. According to the mortgage for that property, Talbott, of Bowdoinham, is a member of Triple T Realty.

The building was listed for sale with Sotheby's shortly after MBHA closed.

MBHA claimed $1.2 million in gross revenue for the first four months of 2016. In 2015, the corporation's gross revenue was $5.345 million, and $4.981 million in 2014.

The corporation notified state and local officials in late March that it would close on April 8. The letter, signed by Parker, cited pending changes to MaineCare reimbursement rates as the reason for the closure.

But on April 1, MBHA suddenly closed its doors, leaving workers unemployed and clients scrambling for services.

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(c)2016 the Bangor Daily News (Bangor, Maine)

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