Ex-leader of CT service agency allegedly used funds for trips, shopping, home appliances

A Waterford woman has been charged on a grand jury indictment with fraud and theft offenses in “connection with her role” as the former executive director of the Southeastern Regional Action Council on Substance Abuse, Inc., according to federal authorities.

Michele Devine, 49, is charged with nine counts of wire fraud and two counts of theft from an agency receiving federal funds, according to federal authorities.

Authorities said the indictment was returned on July 26 and Devine appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford, and pleaded not guilty. Devine is free on a $25,000 bond.

Authorities, citing the indictment and statements made in court, said Devine was the executive director of the Southeastern Regional Action Council on Substance Abuse, Inc., a non-profit in Norwich that serves 41 towns in southeastern and northeastern Connecticut with substance abuse, problem gambling, and mental health-related services. She was in that role until July 2022.

In her role, authorities said, Devine is alleged to have “spent thousands of dollars on purchases that did not relate SERAC but instead appear to be personal expenses for Devine and her family.” This allegedly included home appliances; a trip to the Canyon Ranch luxury spa in Massachusetts; timeshare fees at Water’s Edge resort; and purchases at Marshall’s, Target, Amazon, Best Buy, Etsy, and scrapbooking/crafting websites, authorities said in a statement.

Authorities noted that SERAC is “primarily funded through hundreds of thousands of dollars in state and federal grants” from Connecticut’s Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Authorities said the case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the New London State’s Attorney’s Office and Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.