Two Individuals Plead to Benefit Fraud
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced today criminal dispositions in a worker’s compensation and unemployment insurance benefit fraud totaling more than $39,000 in court-ordered restitution.
Orenda Monroe (age 34), of Pawtucket, pleaded nolo contendere on February 21, before Superior Court Justice Luis Matos to one count of larceny over $1,500 for collecting more than $10,000 in worker’s compensation benefits after having returned to work. Under the terms of the plea, Monroe was sentenced to eight years and eight months of probation and ordered to pay $10,719 in restitution.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove that on dates between April 21, 2017 and August 18, 2017, Monroe collected worker’s compensation benefits after having returned to work. While Monroe was collecting worker’s compensation benefits, she was employed as a CNA for the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH).
Derrick Her, of Providence, pleaded nolo contendere on February 25, before Superior Court Justice Joseph A. Montalbano to one count of obtaining money under false pretenses over $1,500 for collecting more than $29,000 in unemployment insurance benefits while he was employed. Under terms of the plea, Her received a five-year deferred sentence, was required to pay $7,000 in restitution on the day the plea was entered, and was ordered to pay an additional $22,018 in restitution.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove that on dates between November 26, 2011 and February 21, 2015, Her collected unemployment benefits while being employed and also failed to report those earned wages to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (RI DLT). While Her was collecting unemployment benefits, he was employed at Dickinson Fleet Services.
Both cases were initiated by RIDLT fraud investigators and then referred and to and investigated by the Rhode Island State Police. The cases were then prosecuted by Special Assistant Attorney General Carole McLaughlin of the Office of Attorney General.