Office of the Vermont Attorney General
08/27/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/27/2026 11:22
Former Care Provider Charged With Sexual Abuse of a Vulnerable Adult
The Attorney General's Office today announced that Michael Sullivan, 61, of Bradford, Vermont, was arraigned on one misdemeanor charge of sexual abuse of a vulnerable adult. The charge is the result of an investigation conducted by the Secretary of State's Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), which summarily suspended Mr. Sullivan's registration on the Roster of Non-Licensed, Non-Certified Psychotherapists, and referred the matter to the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit (MFRAU) for prosecution.
The State alleges that Michael Sullivan, while employed by the inpatient drug treatment facility Valley Vista Recovery, assumed responsibility for bringing a vulnerable adult to the facility for treatment, but instead brought the vulnerable adult to a hotel in Berlin, Vermont, and engaged in sexual activity with them.
Mr. Sullivan pleaded not guilty at his arraignment today in Vermont Superior Court, Washington Criminal Division. The Court, Judge Michael Harris presiding, ordered Mr. Sullivan released on conditions, including an order to have no contact with the victim, to not abuse or harass the victim, and to not work as a caregiver for any vulnerable persons.
The Attorney General's Office emphasizes that individuals charged with a crime are legally presumed innocent until their guilt is proven beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If you suspect someone is being or has been neglected or abused, contact local law enforcement immediately. Neglect and abuse may also be reported to Adult Protective Services by calling 800-564-1612. If you suspect Medicaid fraud, please submit a report using MFRAU's online reporting form.
The Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $1,497,780 for Federal fiscal year FY 2026. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $499,260 for FY 2026, is funded by the State of Vermont.
CONTACT: Haley Sommer, Senior Advisor to the Attorney General, 802-828-3171
Office of the Vermont Attorney General published this content on August 27, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 27, 2026 at 17:22 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]