AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Janet Mills says she now supports a “full investigation” into Gateway Community Services after state audits found more than $1 million in overpayments and prompted the suspension of MaineCare payments to the nonprofit, according to a report by WMTW. Earlier this month Homeland Security visited the Gateway Community Services Lewiston office.
In a statement released Tuesday, Mills said her administration launched a comprehensive audit of Gateway in January 2023. That audit found overpayments totaling more than $1 million in 2021 and 2022. In December 2025, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services suspended MaineCare payments after identifying a credible allegation of fraud and referred the matter to the Maine Attorney General’s Office.
“I take seriously allegations of fraud and misuse of taxpayer funds, and I support a full investigation to hold those who commit fraud accountable,” Mills told WMTW.
The statement comes amid intensifying scrutiny of Gateway, which provides health, behavioral and interpreter services, largely to immigrant communities. Republican lawmakers have demanded answers and tighter oversight, arguing the case raises broader concerns about MaineCare billing practices and how taxpayer dollars are being monitored.
“The people of Maine are demanding accountability for the money that they send to Augusta every single day, and we are going to deliver something for them,” Rep. Kristina Smith, a Republican from Palermo, said last month.
The report also cited documentation indicating that between 2015 and 2018, the state overpaid the nonprofit $662,608. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services said the overpayment findings stem from two multi-year audits that reviewed tens of thousands of billing claims across multiple service categories.
Another audit of Gateway was completed in 2024 and is currently in the appeal process. Both audits were initiated following complaints, according to DHHS. The department has said the referral to the attorney general was required once a credible allegation of fraud was identified.
Gateway has denied wrongdoing and said it is cooperating with investigators.
The allegations in Maine come as federal authorities in Minnesota investigate alleged widespread fraud tied to the Somali community. Gateway also works with Somali immigrants in Maine, and Democratic lawmakers have said they want to be mindful of national developments.
The suspension of payments has already affected Gateway’s operations as the investigation continues. The Maine Wire has visited both the Portland and Lewiston offices in recent days, and they appear to be closed.
The development comes after months of mounting public frustration over unanswered questions. The Maine Wire has said it raised the issue roughly nine months before Mills’ statement and that this reporter has visited the governor’s office five times seeking comment and has yet to receive a response.
