Barrington Police investigate fundraising scheme using Lane family to receive donations

BARRINGTON, R.I. (WLNE) — The Barrington Police Department is investigating a possible “scheme” in which a fundraising company employee may have used the Lane family to receive donations for the police union.

On Feb. 21, Barrington police were notified by Temple Habonim that an employee of TCI America, which is conducting Barrington Police Union’s annual fundraiser, had referenced the Lane family when asking for a donation.

On Jan. 29, 16-year-old Spencer and his mother Christine Lane died after a plane and a U.S. Army helicopter crashed above Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C. They were from Barrington.

According to Barrington police, the union did not authorize TCI America to “use the Lane family to encourage a donation.”

Police said a suspect has been identified and the department believes the scheme is isolated to the individual.

Barrington police are working with the RI Attorney General’s office in the investigation, and TCI America is cooperating.

Barrington police have identified two donations to the police union that have been linked to the employee using the Lane family, as well as other victims of the scheme.

“We have identified additional victims and will continue to identify and contact any other victims in an effort to determine the full scope of the “scheme,” Police Colonel Michael Correia said in a release. “Every effort will be made to return all donations obtained by this ‘scheme.'”

Correia said if there is probable cause the situation is a crime, “we will be charging any and all persons involved.”

Barrington police ask anyone who believes they were a victim of the scheme to contact the department at 401-437-3930.