WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) — Agents from the FBI and the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General are conducted a search at Koch Eye in Warwick.
Koch Eye is located at 566 Tollgate Road.
Agents conducted a similar search at 51 State Road in Dartmouth, which is listed as Eye Health Vision Center. They were also seen at Koch Lasik & Aesthetics in Cranston on Chapel View Boulevard, removing boxes of materials from the practice.
FBI Agents removing boxes of materials from Koch Eye in Cranston. @CarolineGoggin has the latest on their search of several Koch locations tonight @FOXProvidence and @wpri12 pic.twitter.com/tFOvrwNWi5— James Hughes (@HewesNews) January 24, 2019
Both offices are under the umbrella “Claris Vision,” which operates several eye care practices in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Their website states, “Claris Vision was formed in 2011, bringing together three of New England’s top eye care practices to provide to the most comprehensive spectrum of vision care services available in our region.”
Kristen Setera, a spokesperson for the FBI’s Boston office, confirms they “are working with another agency, conducting court authorized activity” at the locations.
Setera would not say whether any of the investigations are connected.
A spokesperson for Health and Human Services did not immediately return an email for comment.
Eyewitness News crews on the scene say FBI agents can been seen inside both locations wearing blue jackets with “FBI” written on their backs.
Our crew in Dartmouth saw several patients show up and try to enter the office. A sign on the door reads, “Due to an office emergency, the office is closed!”
This is a developing story, check back for details.
Tim White (twhite@wpri.com) is the Target 12 investigative reporter and host of Newsmakers for WPRI 12 and Fox Providence. Follow him on Twitter and on Facebook.