JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-- Three people were arrested and charged with running unlicensed assisted living facilities in Duval County.
The state attorneys office says Barry Smith was operating an unlicensed assisted living facility at a Lake Lucina home for months. Action News has learned the conditions inside it were the reason it was shut down.
"The homes were in disrepair... electrical wiring, sanitation, food," said Mike Weinstein with the State Attorney's Office.
This isn't the only home Smith was operating. The prosecutor says it's a growing problem. Two other people were arrested for running different illegal homes. The prosecutor says all three were on the radar.
"The three people arrested are not new to the warning that they can't do this," said Weinstein.
Neighbors are glad the home was shut down, and the people inside now safe. Weinstein says people need to be aware of this, especially because many of these businesses get paid with government dollars through Medicaid.
"Be careful. There's a lot of people out there trying to take advantage and rip off tax payers money as well," said Weinstein.
Two of the three arrested, Vanita McCray and Joseph Bell, have bonded out. They are all due in court Saturday morning.
