WILMINGTON —Wilmington police officers executed a search warrant Tuesday that resulted in the seizing of business records, a computer server and “hundreds of pairs of eyeglasses thought to belong to patients” at Optimum Eyecare, Inc., 2079 Rombach Ave.
Authorities “continue to investigate possible fraud,” according to Police Chief Duane Weyand.
The business of optometrist David T. Brown was shut down March 9 by the Ohio Department of Taxation for nonpayment of state taxes. It has remained closed except for one day when one staff member was available to disseminate patients’ records to them.
“We have been working with the Ohio Vision Professional Board and their investigators,” said Weyand. “Currently, it is our plan to work with an optometrist to issue out the glasses seized because they are a prescription and we don’t dispense prescriptions.
Weyand told the News Journal Wednesday night that there is much interest expressed by patients of Optimum Eyecare in getting their medical records and/or their eyeglasses or contacts as soon as possible.
WPD does not possess the medical records at this time.
He said that the situation still “has a lot of moving parts”, but as absolutely soon as they are able to do so, they will set up a time, date and location to get patient records released, and they will announce publicly how patients can get their records and their glasses or contacts.
“We appreciate everyone who has come forward and we are continuing to speak to witnesses and insurance companies in the matter,” Weyand added. “When we are ready to release the eyewear seized we will post an article in the Wilmington News Journal and we will post information on the Wilmington Police Department’s Facebook page.”
If you have paid Optimum Eyecare for goods and services not received and you have not yet contacted WPD, you may contact Officer Whitney Johnson. Weyand said WPD has received hundred of calls to date.
Optimum Eyecare was sued for eviction April 2 in Clinton County Municipal Court by the owners of the building, retired optometrist Dr. Glenn MacDonald and his wife Lorie MacDonald. On April 17 the court ordered a “judgment for eviction and restitution.”
The MacDonalds sold the business to David T. Brown in 2013.
