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Rhode Island government benefits fraud cases

Federal fraud prosecutions announced in Rhode Island, where to report fraud against public programs, and what Rhode Island and federal law pay whistleblowers.

Published Checked against official sources

DOJ announcements
9
Since January 20, 2025
Sentencings
4
Pleaded guilty 2 · Charged 2
Largest amount named
$10.2M
settlement · 2026

Fraud by program in Rhode Island

ProgramAnnouncementsMore
Medicaid4All Medicaid cases
SNAP3All SNAP cases
Medicare2All Medicare cases
PPP/EIDL2All PPP/EIDL cases
Unemployment1All Unemployment cases
VA benefits1All VA benefits cases

Where to report fraud in Rhode Island

Type of fraudReport to
Medicaid provider fraudMedicaid Fraud & Patient Abuse Unit · Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General · (401) 274-4400 ext. 2269 or (401) 222-2566
SNAP, child care assistance, cash assistanceRI Department of Human Services – Report Fraud (Fraud Unit (401) 574-8175; Office of Internal Audit fraud complaint form)
Unemployment benefitsRI Department of Labor & Training – Unemployment Insurance Fraud (UI/TDI Fraud Unit (401) 462-1522)
Medicare and other HHS programsHHS-OIG · 1-800-HHS-TIPS
Any WHIP-covered federal program, if you want a rewardAmerica.gov/fraud (how to submit)

Whistleblower rewards in Rhode Island

ProgramWhat it paysLaw
State False Claims Act
Covers all state funds (the state, its agencies, and political subdivisions: cities, towns, public corporations and authorities)		15–25% if the state proceeds; 25–30% if it does not. Capped at 10% when the case rests mainly on publicly disclosed information. The court may reduce the share for a relator who planned or started the violation; a relator convicted of related criminal conduct gets nothing.R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1.1-1 et seq. (relator share: § 9-1.1-4(d))
Federal WHIP$10,000–$30,000 per tip that leads to criminal chargesDOJ terms
Federal False Claims Act15–25% of the recovery if the government intervenes; 25–30% if not31 U.S.C. § 3730(d)

HHS-OIG approved the act on 1/25/2019, after the 2018 amendments (P.L. 2018 ch. 257, which amended §§ 9-1.1-3, -4, -5). No 2024–2026 amendments found. riag.ri.gov and dhs.ri.gov return 403 to some automated fetchers, but both load in a browser.

Estimate federal awards for your case with the calculator, or compare programs in WHIP vs the False Claims Act.

Latest announcements

DateAnnouncementProgramStageAmount
2026-08-05Rhode Island Department of Human Services Supervisor Pleads Guilty in Scheme to Defraud Supplemental Nutrition Assistance ProgramSNAPPleaded guilty—
2026-07-13Dominican Nationals Sentenced in Federal Benefits Fraud CasesMedicaidSNAPUnemploymentSentenced$75K
2026-06-24Two Charged in District of Rhode Island as Part of National Fraud TakedownMedicaidCharged—
2026-06-16Journey to Hope Health and Healing and Former CEO Agree to Pay $10.2 Million to Resolve False Claims AllegationsMedicaidMedicareCivil settlement$10.2M
2025-05-08Providence Man Indicted for Making False Statements to Gain Veteran BenefitsVA benefitsCharged—
2025-04-02Pawtucket Man Admits to Defrauding Federally Funded Benefit Programs Using Stolen Identities, Altering and Cashing Stolen U.S. Treasury ChecksSNAPPleaded guilty$33K
2025-03-27Mortgage Broker That Ran a Ponzi Scheme, Fraudulently Acquired CARES Act SBA Loans, and Filed a False Tax Return is Sentenced to Federal PrisonPPP/EIDLSentenced—
2025-03-20Four Individuals Sentenced in Sophisticated, Wide-Spread Fraud SchemesPPP/EIDLSentenced$4.8M
2025-03-05Addiction Treatment Center Supervisor Sentenced in Scheme to Defraud Federal, State, and Private Health Care InsurersMedicaidMedicareSentenced$3.5M

Source: U.S. Department of Justice press releases, classified by WHIP Reward. Each row is one press release; the same case can appear at several stages, so amounts should not be added. Charged cases are allegations. Search all 9 in the database.

Frequently asked questions

How do I report Medicaid fraud in Rhode Island?

Report provider fraud to the Medicaid Fraud & Patient Abuse Unit (Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General), or to the HHS Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS. To be eligible for a federal WHIP award, also submit the tip in writing at America.gov/fraud.

Does Rhode Island pay whistleblowers?

Yes. Under the State False Claims Act (R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1.1-1 et seq. (relator share: § 9-1.1-4(d))), a whistleblower who files a case receives 15–25% if the state proceeds; 25–30% if it does not. Capped at 10% when the case rests mainly on publicly disclosed information. The court may reduce the share for a relator who planned or started the violation; a relator convicted of related criminal conduct gets nothing.. Federal programs (WHIP and the federal False Claims Act) apply as well.

How many fraud cases has the DOJ announced in Rhode Island?

9 announcements since January 20, 2025 in our database, counting each press release separately (a case can appear at charge, plea and sentencing). 4 of them announced a sentence.

Sources

  1. U.S. Department of Justice: Whistleblower Rewards Program
  2. webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE9/9-1.1/9-1.1-4.HTM
  3. webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE9/9-1.1/9-1.1-1.HTM
  4. webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE9/9-1.1/9-1.1-2.HTM
  5. webserver.rilegislature.gov/PublicLaws/law18/law18257.htm
  6. oig.hhs.gov/fraud/state-false-claims-act-reviews
  7. oig.hhs.gov/documents/false-claims-act/269/RhodeIsland.pdf
  8. riag.ri.gov/about-our-office/divisions-and-units/criminal-division/medicaid-fraud-patient-abuse
  9. dhs.ri.gov/general-resources-and-support/report-fraud
  10. dlt.ri.gov/individuals/unemployment-insurance/unemployment-insurance-fraud
  11. U.S. Department of Justice press releases (justice.gov/news)