12 weeks 2 days 20 hours ago Director of Bay State veteran's home faces criminal charges Play video

(NECN) - From it's scenic perch in Hull, Massachusetts. This lodging home at 39 Merrill road lives up to it's name of Highview.

But longtime resident Richard Dextraze says looks can be deceiving.

"The house was a wreck. Things were always going wrong with the toilets. the showers were filthy, It was an unsafe environment".

For more than 3 years Dextraze was one of several veterans, Most disabled... Who were referred to Highview by the VA.
An admitted drug abuser, who had a long standing struggle with Highview's director over control of his money, says it was not a place conducive to recovery.

"They had nothing there to help me, there was no program at all it was basically just a place to live so it didn't help me out at all. And they had workers there who were drug users themselves."

Even neighbors say they had real concerns about the care and well being of the veterans at Highview.

"It wasn't right to be living in the house because of the conditions there.. It just seemed like it was infested with germs and it just wasn't healthy..."

The Hull police department had problems with Highview as well chief Richard Billings sent a letter to the town selectmen recounting repeated calls for service.. Saying "officers kept busy with 39 Merrill Road, missing persons, sex offender registration, public urination and drinking, residents unsupervised in the streets wearing only their bathrobes".

Last year marine officer Ed

“I have been in some rotten places.. I just would not want people I care about ..frankly any veteran to be in those circumstances.."

Finally, after 12 years of operation, in late 2006 ..Highview was closed by the town of Hull due to electrical problems... Displacing 19 residents....

The town manager issued a letter stating that "permits were revoked for failure to comply with building and sanitary codes."

But according to town records, the actual lodging license expired almost two years earlier....but continued to operate without any type of license. And the VA continued to send disabled veterans to an unlicensed facility.

"We were not aware of it throughout 2005.. And 2006.. We are aware of that now."

In April of this year the home's owners Karen and Charles Medici tried to reapply for the license in a rather contentious town meeting.

"Did it occur to you to get a similar form as you always Received?"

"we’ve had an ongoing license for 12 years..."

"The license is annual .. Not ongoing.."

A short time ago Charles Medici agreed to sit down with us to discuss the allegations of substandard living conditions at Highview.

"All I can say is .. Um you are talking about a home that was licensed through the town of Hull... we got all our health inspections and licenses from the health department."

But as far back as 2000 the Medici's were warned otherwise.
In a letter from the state they were told "that the dept. Of elder affairs has determined that Highview retirement home is operating as an uncertified assisted living residence..
and that violations include.... Vets receiving prescription drugs from unlicensed staff members

"was there a nurse on the staff? We had a nurse that was there just to take care of the medications... " "a licensed nurse?" yes.. A licensed nurse."

But this is what Medici told Hull selectmen last April.
"... The nurses never saw people there... No we did that on our own... We didn't need a nurse"

Then late 2007.. A new turn.
Charles Medici was indicted for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from John Hegarty. A former resident and veteran who had passed away.. Medici kept Hegarty's checks which continued to be sent to Highview after he had died.

Medici has since pled not guilty to the charge.. Explaining that he was granted authority over the money by the VA.

"He wound up passing away at rehab. And not only did I not get called but the VA didn't get called. So the department that follows Mrs. Hegerty didn't get called and we continued to get his check. That was our check whether he was sick or wasn't sick.

Medici also argues if his place was so bad, why did the VA keep sending him clients every time there was an open bed? .

I guess you would have to go back and say if there was something wrong, where was the competency of all the agencies that were out there visiting."

"so who exactly was watching Highview? Medici claims the VA hadn't inspected Highview in 12 years but yet continued to send vets there up until the day it was ordered closed."

Citing the pending legal case, the VA declined comment. However, we have learned the VA was warned by the veterans agent in Hull of concerns at Highview well before it was closed.

On August 3, 2006 the vet agent wrote to the VA liaison saying "I understand that you and the VA rate Mr. Medici at near sainthood yet my investigation has revealed Mr. Medici's actions to be less than commendable.. and his conduct is not in the best interest of the veterans.... Going on to say... "I question the VA's decision to place veterans in such an environment."
Today Highview remains boarded up and empty. For neighbors the building is a sad reminder of what they see as a breakdown in the system.

"I think it's sad, I mean we are supposed to take care of our vets. Just like we do for everybody that's out there fighting for our country, and this man took advantage of these men.

As for Medici. He reportedly remains under investigation and he faces possible prison if he's convicted of the charge of grand larceny. He is due back in court in March .

NECN’s Josh McElveen has more.