Providence man arrested for defrauding businesses

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)– A Providence man was arrested after defrauding businesses of more than $80,000 and assaulting federal agents.

Paul Diogenes, (49), pled guilty in federal court Friday to charges of wire fraud and assault of an officer.

According to United States Attorney Zachary Cunha, Diogenes admitted to creating a non-existent catering company and using false information to gain credit from food distributors.

Diogenes purchased and resold more than $831,760 of food.

In August, FBI agents, FBI task force officers, and Rhode Island State Police surveilled and followed Diogenes.

When officers approached, Diogenes fled the scene.

Diogenes acted on reckless behavior, attempting to ram his car into multiple task force vehicles and officers.

Diogenes was later arrested at a Middleborough hotel by U.S. Marshals Service and FBI.

At the time of the arrest, Diogenes was in possession of a briefcase which held $116,404 in cash.

Diogenes is scheduled to be sentenced in March of 2022.