Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate vying for a seat in the Maine Senate, held a rally focused on the idea of increasing taxes on higher income earners to fund healthcare initiatives. State Representative Deqa Dhalac, representing Maine’s 120th district, introduced Platner at the event, expressing her support for his candidacy.
Dhalac’s involvement has drawn scrutiny because of her past employment with Gateway Community Services Maine. This non-profit is now facing investigations from both federal and state authorities regarding potential financial irregularities related to the state’s Medicaid program, MaineCare.
Gateway Community Services Maine provides various services to immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, including healthcare support, job search assistance, and social programs. The organization was founded by a Somali immigrant and has Somali-born individuals on its board.
The investigations into Gateway Community Services Maine stem from allegations of improper billing practices. Claims have surfaced suggesting that the organization billed MaineCare for services that were never actually provided, with accusations of falsified client records.
Adding to the concerns, allegations have also been made about the organization’s handling of funds received through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s been suggested that these funds, intended to help businesses maintain payroll, may have been used for bonuses and to pay individuals who did not actually work for the organization.
Public records indicate that Gateway Community Services Maine and a related entity received a substantial amount of PPP funding. State investigations have also uncovered significant overpayments from MaineCare to the organization.
Financial disclosures reveal that Dhalac received payments from Gateway Community Services Maine while serving in her role as a state representative, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest and the amount of time she dedicated to each role.
Furthermore, Dhalac is a co-founder of Cross Cultural Community Services, an organization focused on addressing what it describes as “racism” through diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
These developments have prompted calls from Republican lawmakers in the Maine House of Representatives for Dhalac to be removed from the Legislature’s budget committee.
Dhalac has publicly stated that the accusations against her are false and harmful. She has expressed support for the investigations and a commitment to holding accountable anyone found to have misused public funds.
Platner, who describes Dhalac as a friend and advocate for “justice and decency,” also participated in another event alongside Dhalac.
The unfolding situation involving Gateway Community Services Maine and the connections of public figures to the organization highlights the importance of careful oversight and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. It also underscores the need for transparency and accountability in government and non-profit sectors alike, ensuring that resources intended to benefit communities are used effectively and ethically. As the investigations continue, the focus remains on uncovering the truth and ensuring that any wrongdoing is addressed appropriately.
