More people claim unemployment fraud; fund gives $1.4M

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – An investigation into possible unemployment benefits fraud related to the coronavirus pandemic is expanding with as many as 2,000 cases in Rhode Island.

That number drastically increasing from just over a week ago when we reported the Department of Labor and Training said they had  received about 300 reports.

Authorities said Tuesday state and federal law enforcement agencies are investigating fraudulent unemployment insurance claims submitted to the state Department of Labor and Training.

An agency spokeswoman says the department has received roughly 2,000 reports from people who say they have been the victims.

Rhode Island’s COVID-19 Response Fund has awarded an additional $1.4 million in grants.

The fund formed in mid-March has now awarded to $7.2 million to nonprofits around the state to help people affected by the virus.