Community Health & Wellness

State details allegations against former Rainier Recovery owner

Posted on December 1st, 2025 By: Conor Wilson

State health officials suspended the license of a former substance use treatment provider from Gig Harbor, pending further legal action, for alleged sexual misconduct and substandard care.

In an eight-page statement in November, state officials accuse Jeremiah Dunlap of engaging in unethical practices during his time as CEO of Rainier Recovery, a Pierce County substance use treatment agency that previously had locations in Gig Harbor, Lakewood and Puyallup.

Over roughly two years leading the outpatient treatment provider between 2023 and 2025, Dunlap is accused of manipulation, sexual misconduct, doctoring patients’ clinical records in collaboration with attorneys, and using unqualified staff. On one occasion, documents allege, negligence contributed to a patient’s death.

A spokesperson for DOH wrote in an email to Gig Harbor Now last week that all relevant information was in the documents and they had no additional insights to offer.

Dunlap responds

Dunlap called the charges “hearsay” and said DOH was “lazy” in a phone interview Wednesday. The DOH felt “media pressure” to do something, he said, arguing it was politically motivated. Dunlap said DOH never asked for his side of the story and had no evidence of its claims, other than statements from several “disgruntled ex-employees.”

“We believe this, [the DOH] they’re the authority. But they’re literally spreading lies and doing whatever they want,” he said. “I just ask that people hold the [DOH] accountable.”

The state credentialed Dunlap, who is originally from Gig Harbor, as a substance use disorder professional in 2015. The state leveled penalties against Rainier Recovery in 2024.

DOH allowed Rainier to reopen on probationary status following an investigation and brief suspension. The agreement barred Dunlap from direct involvement in agency management. Only the Lakewood location, rebranded as Resolve Recovery, continues to operate, according to DOH documents. Dunlap says he gave the business away.

Alleged inappropriate comments

Charges against Dunlap, signed by Assistant Attorney General Kristi Kneips on Nov. 3, come nearly a year after the conclusion of a state investigation into Rainier Recovery’s bussiness practices. They provided additional insight into the state’s allegations.

Dunlap is alleged to have made sexually inappropriate comments to four staff members and carried out an affair with a staff member during work hours. That left trainees without a professional substance use disorder professional on site to consult.

Dunlap admitted to having an affair, but denied the other accusations. He says the relationship was consensual and “not illegal.” After he called the relationship off, he alleges, the staff member and their friends conspired against him.

Six former employees banded together and put out false statements to hurt him and Rainier, he said. “That’s all this is. It’s just a mean girls club.”

State questions oversight

Document accused Dunlap of permitting at least 20 substance use disorder trainees to work without a professional practitioner onsite. He is also alleged to have had trainees teach each other without a professional’s supervision and encourage individuals without sufficient credentials to apply for a trainee credential.

Dunlap and staff are also accused of changing or pressuring other staff to alter the results of clinical assessments, treatment levels, urinalysis and other patient records. Roughly eight staff members accused Dunlap of having mutually beneficial relations with at least three attorneys, according to documents, providing preferential treatment and doctoring clients records on their behalf.

Documents also reference a client of Rainier, who died from fentanyl in 2024, had no listed issues with substance use on his treatment notes or clinical assessment. The client spent a year with the agency seeking treatment after they stopped using heroin and began to self-medicate with alcohol. The state accused Dunlap of signing off on that assessment and failing to review the recommended treatment plan.

A spokesperson for the state Attorney General’s Office declined to comment.