For Immediate Release:
December 15, 2006

Contact:
Nanci Gonder
Office of Public Information
573-751-6062

Department of Health and Senior Services Denies Licenses to Anderson Guest Home and Related Facilities

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services today denied licenses to Anderson Guest House, Joplin Guest House and Guest House III, and revoked the license of Carl Junction Guest House.

“After an investigation we have determined that Robert DuPont was illegally involved in the operation of these facilities,” said Jane Drummond, Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). “Mr. DuPont’s involvement is in violation of state law and is grounds for license denial,” Drummond added.

Drummond said the facilities must be closed and residents relocated by January 5. She said both DHSS and the Missouri Department of Mental Health are working with residents’ families and guardians to find new places for them to live in the area.

“We are working to find the best and most appropriate place for each resident to live,” Drummond said. “Some of these individuals survived the tragedy of the Anderson Guest House fire and have already moved once. Our goal is to make this transition as smooth and comfortable as possible for them,” she added.  

Drummond said that information collected by the department’s Office of Special Investigations shows that Dupont has been involved in operational decisions relating to all facilities operated by Joplin River of Life Ministries, Inc., such as hiring and firing employees, making decisions regarding facility operations when requested by the administrator, overseeing the resident funds, overseeing grocery supplies, making decisions as to the appropriateness of admission of residents, attending and participating in meetings of the Joplin River of Life Ministries, Inc., Board of Directors, and providing oversight and direction regarding the billings to the Missouri Medicaid program.

State law forbids any individual who has been convicted of a felony related to either management of a long-term care facility or the provision or receipt of health care from being a principal in the operation of a long-term care facility. DuPont was convicted in federal court in 2003 of a felony offense related to Medicaid/Medicare fraud.

“It is unconscionable that Mr. DuPont would knowingly break the law and try to conceal his involvement so these facilities could get their licenses,” Drummond said. “His actions are directly to blame for these facilities closing,” she added.