A North Kingstown man was among eight arrested Tuesday by the R.I. State Police for fraudulent collection of unemployment benefits, the state police announced. They have been charged with allegedly optaining money under false pretenses over $1,500, a felony.
Patrick Carroll, 46, of Pettee Ave., North Kingstown, was arrested as part of a statewide sweep. Carroll and the others were arraigned on the felony charge in Sixth Division District Court in Providence and released on personal recognizance. Collectively, these individuals are alleged to have fraudulently collected unemployment benefits totaling $107,688. The highest amount any one individual is alleged to have fraudulently collected is $21,295.
“Unemployment insurance fraud is not only a crime, it is a financial burden on businesses, especially small businesses, and taxpayers. Through the partnership with the Department of Labor and Training, the Rhode Island State Police and the Office of Attorney General, we are committed to aggressively investigating and prosecuting those who defraud the system and steal taxpayer dollars,” said Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin.
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Here are the rest of those arrested Tuesday:
- Adrian George, 44, of 29 Randall St., Cranston
- Joao Camara, 41, of 12 Haffards St., Fall River, Mass.
- Bruce DaSilva, 32, of 180 Bloodgood St., Pawtucket
- Kimberly Woodruff, 45, of 2097 Plainfield St., Johnston
- Steven Sousa, 36, of 74 Carolina Ave., Providence
- Roosevelt Bonilla, 42, of 186 Clarence St., Providence
- Scott Archambault, 47, of 52 Woodhaven Road, Pawtucket
Additional arrests are expected in the near future, state police said.
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