[A]n unannounced raid by authorities occurred at the Q Burke resort on Wednesday, and the president of the company said the locks were changed and evidence collected.
Attorney General Bill Sorrell confirmed that state officials, including the governor, were aware that law enforcement officials were at the resort Wednesday.
Sorrell declined to comment on the investigation other than to say an announcement would be made Thursday. He would not answer questions about what law enforcement agencies might be involved.
“Tomorrow (Thursday) with at least an hour’s notice to press, there will be discussion of developments in the Northeast Kingdom,” Sorrell said early Wednesday evening.
WCAX-TV reported on Wednesday night that Q Burke President Ary Quiros said authorities had changed the locks and asked to see property. He declined to comment to WCAX, other than to say he was cooperating with authorities.
A statement from the governor’s office indicated the activity at Q Burke was a “coordinated effort” among several agencies, which were not defined. The statement also indicated that Department of Financial Regulation Commissioner Susan Donegan and Patricia Moulton, the head of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, would also attend the press briefing.
“We’re aware of the situation in the Northeast Kingdom. This is a coordinated effort. We are unable to comment until relevant information is made public. We expect that to happen tomorrow,” the statement from the governor’s office said.
Gov. Peter Shumlin was not available for comment Wednesday night.
Q Burke is one of several projects that are part of a massive $500 million development in the Northeast Kingdom being undertaken by Bill Stenger and Ariel Quiros. They are raising the money from immigrant investors through the EB-5 investment program, which requires foreigners to put up $500,000 in return for permanent residency in the United States.
Stenger could not be reached Wednesday night.
The federal Securities and Exchange Commission has been investigating some of the projects by Stenger and Quiros. The developers have labeled the SEC action a “review.”
U.S. Attorney Eric Miller declined to comment Wednesday night.
State financial regulators have also raised serious financial questions about the projects, including Q Burke, where the general contractor says he is owed several million dollars.
Donegan could not be reached Wednesday.
A high-level source said no arrests would be made.
