Sartell woman pleads guilty to fraud; the children’s store is planned to be closed

After pleading guilty to fraud, a Sartell woman has announced that her Broadway store Baby’s will close.

Adele Starin, 40, pleaded guilty to participating in a fraudulent scheme with her Baby’s on Broadway business, which sold baby products and toys, according to court documents.

Starin reportedly submitted fraudulent claims for reimbursement to TRICARE, the U.S. Department of Defense’s military health care program.

However, after TRICARE began denying Starin’s claims, she formed a company called Sunshine Medical LLC and notified two creditors—Liquid Capital Enterprises Corp. and Slope Tech. Inc. — that she needs financing to buy inventory for Baby’s on Broadway from Sunshine.

Starin reportedly created fake invoices for Sunshine Medical and sent them to creditors even though the company had no operations or revenue. Starin received over $9 million in funding during her scheme.

However, on December 19, Sartin pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

According to Sartin’s post on her Facebook page for Baby’s on Broadway, she announced the store will be closing in the coming weeks, but said customer orders will be fulfilled before closing for good.