Two Rhode Islanders plead no contest to unemployment insurance fraud

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced Monday that two Rhode Island residents have been ordered to repay $15,371 to the State, after fraudulently obtaining unemployment insurance benefits by not reporting earned wages to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training.

Richard Geminiani, 57 of Woonsocket, pleaded no contest to one count of obtaining money under false pretenses.  Geminiani has been ordered to pay $6,477 in restitution to the State, and was given a four-year deferred sentence.

Sareth Chea, 38 of Providence pleaded no contest to one count of obtaining money under false pretenses over $1,500.  Chea has been sentenced to four years of probation and ordered to pay $8,840 in restitution to the State. According to the Attorney General’s Office, between January and July 2019, Chea worked at a bank and collected unemployment insurance benefits while failing to report her wages to the Department of Labor and Training.

It is also noted that Chea is a former DLT employee and is familiar with reporting requirements.

“Regardless of circumstances, when individuals collect benefits that they aren’t entitled to, they reduce the amount of benefits that are available to Rhode Islanders who really need them,” said Attorney General Neronha. “While the conduct of the defendants happened prior to this year, I think everyone has witnessed during our government’s response to the COVID pandemic how critical these funds are to those who are really struggling. Although the pandemic may have heightened the public’s awareness of issues related to unemployment benefits, this work has always been important because of its impact on our ability to help those who need it.”

The Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Unit and the Department of Labor and Training led the investigation into these cases. The cases were prosecuted by Special Assistant Attorney General Carole McLaughlin on the behalf of the Office of the Attorney General.

©WLNE-TV/ABC6 2020