Treatment center operator pleads not guilty to 17 charges

A drug treatment operator could face life in prison and millions of dollars in fines if convicted on allegations he abused drug addicts who sought help in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Kenneth Chatman, 46, of Boynton Beach, pleaded not guilty in federal court Thursday to 17 charges, including sex trafficking, money laundering and conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

Chatman was the mastermind behind a ring of sober homes and treatment centers that offered illegal kickbacks, coerced residents into prostitution, threatened violence against patients, and submitted urine and saliva for screening even when no medical

need existed, investigators allege.

Fransesia Davis, 44, of Lake Worth, who owns Total Recovery Sober Living LLC and was an employee at Reflections Treatment Center, is among five others arrested alongside Chatman.

Davis on Thursday pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, money laundering and maintaining a drug involved premise.

If convicted, she could face 20 years in prison and $500,000 or more in fines.

Davis was a house manager at a female-only sober home where residents were locked inside with the windows screwed down, according to a criminal complaint.

Both defendants requested a trial by jury during the hearing, held in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge William Matthewman in federal court in West Palm Beach.

Authorities also have arrested Michael Bonds, Joaquin Mendez, Stefan Gatt and Chatman’s wife, Laura, in connection with the investigation.