Federal Agents Converge on Ind. Ambulance Service

Nov. 16--BATESVILLE -- At least seven federal agents with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General were inside and outside of Tri-County Ambulance, Batesville, Wednesday, Nov. 16.

One female was being interviewed outside while another, who seemed distraught, waited on the steps, then went inside at around 11 a.m.

One of the agents would not confirm that an investigation was taking place. She referred all questions to Tim Horty, U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Indiana, public information officer, Indianapolis.

He said, "All I can tell you is federal search warrants were served this morning." Horty added agents searched at several locations in southeastern Indiana. "Our only interest with the search warrants are associated with Tri-County Ambulance in any of these locations."

The agents, the majority of whom are based in Indianapolis, will be at the business "just as long as it takes to search ... My guess is not too long," the officer reported.

Were Batesville police involved in the search? Horty said typically the federal agents would ask local police to accompany them and an eyewitness said that did occur, but Batesville police cars had left by midmorning.

When asked if he expected arrests to be made, Horty responded, "That will be part of our ongoing investigation."

He would not divulge the type of investigation, how Tri-County Ambulance aroused suspicion and how many are employed there.

Horty said a report about what the agents discovered will not be made public "any time in the very near future."

It could be months before the nature of the investigation and if there was any wrongdoing are revealed.

Copyright 2011 - The Herald-Tribune, Batesville, Ind.