State Police arrest 5 for unemployment insurance and SNAP benefits fraud, 3 of which are government workers

The Rhode Island State Police has announced that on Thursday, members of the Financial Crimes Unit arrested the following 5 individuals for crimes associated with defrauding the State of Rhode Island’s social services programs. 2 defendants were employed by the State of Rhode Island, and 1 defendant was employed by the City of Cranston while the alleged frauds were committed.

• Leng Chy, age 37, of Cranston, Rhode Island, was charged with Obtaining Property by False Pretenses over $10,000, Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance over $500, and Giving False Documents to an Agent, Employee, or Public Official. It is alleged that Ms. Chy fraudulently underreported her household income and her employment status from 2018 through 2022 to fraudulently obtain $8,498 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Additionally, it is alleged that Chy fraudulently underreported her household income and her employment status from 2023 through 2025 to fraudulently obtain $32,602 in Rhode Island Department of Health Services (DHS) medical benefits. Chy was employed as an Eligibility Technician with the Rhode Island DHS from 2023 through 2024. Chy turned herself in to State Police Headquarters, where she was arraigned by a Justice of the Peace and released on personal recognizances. The arrest was the result of a complaint filed by the Department of Administration, Office of Internal Audit. 

• John Depasquale, age 45, of Cranston, Rhode Island, was charged with Obtaining Property by False Pretenses between $1,500 and $5,000, Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance over $500, and Giving False Documents to an Agent, Employee, or Public Official. It is alleged that Depasquale fraudulently underreported his household income and his employment status from 2022 through 2024 to fraudulently obtain $4,949 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Depasquale is employed with the Rhode Island Department of Human Services. Depasquale turned himself in to State Police Headquarters, where he was arraigned by a Justice of the Peace and released on personal recognizances. The arrest was the result of a complaint filed by the Department of Administration, Office of Internal Audit. 

• Daniel Tuirok, age 59 of Warwick, Rhode Island, was charged with Obtaining Property by False Pretenses over $10,000 and Access to a Computer for Fraudulent Purposes. It is alleged that Tuirok underreported his gross earnings from 2020 through 2021 to fraudulently obtain $36,342 in unemployment benefits. During the alleged time period, Tuirok was employed by the City of Cranston’s Highway Maintenance Division.Tuirok turned himself in to State Police Headquarters, where he was arraigned by a Justice of the Peace and released on personal recognizances. The arrest was the result of a complaint filed by the Department of Labor and Training’s Unemployment Fraud Unit. 

• Melissa Matias, age 54 of East Providence, Rhode Island, was charged with Obtaining Property by False Pretenses over $10,000 and Access to a Computer for Fraudulent Purposes. It is alleged that Matias underreported her gross earnings from 2020 through 2025 to fraudulently obtain $25,642 in unemployment benefits. Matias turned herself in to State Police Headquarters, where she was arraigned by a Justice of the Peace and released on personal recognizances. The arrest was the result of a complaint filed by the Department of Labor and Training’s Unemployment Fraud Unit. 

• Aaron Sam, age 40, of Central Falls, Rhode Island, was charged with Obtaining Property by False Pretenses over $10,000 and Access to a Computer for Fraudulent Purposes. It is alleged that Sam underreported his gross earnings from 2022 through 2025 to fraudulently obtain $24,162 in unemployment benefits. Sam turned himself in to State Police Headquarters, where he was arraigned by a Justice of the Peace and released on personal recognizances. The arrest was the result of a complaint filed by the Department of Labor and Training’s Unemployment Fraud Unit.