Dry Ridge couple sues Wellness Center

A Dry Ridge couple is suing the Grant County Wellness Center, LLC and its owner after they were allegedly fired for expressing concerns about how the pain clinic operated.

Lamar and Eileen Fowler filed the lawsuit Jan. 17 in Grant District Court accusing the defendants of fraud, breach of contract and negligent and fraudulent misrepresentation.

The defendants are listed as the Grant County Wellness Center, 99 South Main St., Dry Ridge, owner Ernest Will Singleton and three unidentified employees.

The Fowlers entered in an agreement on April 19, 2011, with Singleton of Lawrenceburg, for the creation and operation of the Grant County Wellness Center, according to the lawsuit.

The Fowlers were allegedly recruited to participate in the business venture because of their experience and knowledge of the industry and familiarity of the area.

In the agreement, the Fowlers were promised a 30 percent ownership interest in the center.

According to the lawsuit, the Fowlers “were assured that the Wellness Center was a legitimate medical facility and all applicable laws and regulations would be followed during operation.”

However, when the Fowlers began working at the center they started to notice issues that concerned them about the activities of the doctors and staff and overall operation and management of the business, according to the lawsuit.

“One major concern was the amount and type of medication that was being prescribed to patients visiting the Wellness Center,” the lawsuit states.

After expressing their concerns to Singleton, the Fowlers were fired and locked out of the center by Singleton, according to the lawsuit.

Federal agents raided El-Amin pain management clinic, located in a building next to Grant County Wellness Center, in June 2011.

Dr. Sundiata El-Amin was not arrested.

The federal agents, however, believe El-Amin’s Dry Ridge clinic was a “pill mill.”

Following the raid, the business closed.