4 arrests in sober homes inquiry

Four Delray Beach sober home operators were arrested after being accused of taking more than $300,000 in kickbacks for referring patients, authorities say.

According to arrest reports, the men were paid $500 or $1,000 for each patient they placed into sober homes.

Florida’s patient-brokering statute makes it illegal for anyone to “offer or pay any commission, bonus, rebate, kickback, bribe or any split-fee arrangement to get patients to a health careprovider.” Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputies on Sunday arrested Palm Beach Gardens residents Adam Lahr, 25, and his brother, Eric Lahr, 28, who both own Vantage. Deputies also arrested Kristopher Bayne, 28, of Delray Beach, who owns Guiding Light Properties, on Friday. Delray Beach Police arrested John Dudek, 55, ofBoca Raton, whoowns Southern Palms Oasis, on Sunday, according to arrest reports.

A Sober Home Task Force searched another facility, Chapters Recovery, in December and found checks addressed to the Lahr brothers dated from March to October 2016 and totaling about $185,900. Checks found with Bayne’s name totaled about $94,200 and checks addressed to Dudek, dated from April to October 2016, totaled $44,900, according to the arrest reports.

AdamandEric Lahrwere booked and released from Palm Beach County Jail after posting $30,000 bond. Bayne was released after posting $99,000 bond and Dudekwas held on $30,000 bond.

asacasa@sun-sentinel.com