MA Ambulance Service Cancels $1.6M in Debt after Probe

A Lowell ambulance company will erase nearly $1.6 million in debt and give $50,000 in restitution to consumers after admitting it knew its lawyer was threatening vulnerable, low-income consumers with imprisonment, Attorney General Maura Healey said.

Trinity EMS agreed to cancel ambulance debts for nearly 880 consumers threatened or sued by Robert White, a former collection attorney who Trinity engaged through a debt collection firm, according to a release from Healey’s office.

“Debt collectors and their attorneys aren’t allowed to threaten you with jail time if you can’t pay a bill,” Healey said in the statement. “For years, this company knew that vulnerable consumers in the Lowell community were being taken advantage of and they should have put an end to it. This settlement will provide relief to those who were harmed by these illegal practices.”

A representative for Trinity was not immediately available to comment.

Trinity and Stevens Business Services have also agreed to repair credit for consumers sued by White on Trinity’s behalf and pay consumers “most affected” by the attorney’s misconduct, an agreement filed this week in Suffolk Superior Court states.

The state’s investigation found that White “for years” targeted low-income consumers dealing with major medical issues who spoke English as a second language.

Through a spokesman, Trinity said in a statement, “Although we vehemently deny any knowledge and responsibility regarding the attorney’s actions, Trinity stepped up and agreed to resolve these matters by voluntarily canceling those debts incurred by consumers. We felt it was Trinity’s corporate responsibility to do the right thing for any consumer who may have been affected by these actions.”

White died before the AG’s investigation concluded. Trinity and SBS have agreed to forgive debt alleged to be owed in the case. The companies will also be required to report the debts as satisfied to credit reporting agencies, and will have to submit an annual report to the AG’s office for three years.

The AG’s office said it will contact consumers eligible for restitution, and has set up a hotline for consumers who have questions at 617-963-2484.

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