West Warwick man accused of using stolen identities to claim COVID-related benefits
WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) — A West Warwick man is accused of using stolen identities to gain COVID-related unemployment benefits.
Richard Allen, 56, is charged for conspiracy to commit mail fraud, five counts of aggravated identity theft, and two counts of theft of government money.
Allen pled not guilty in front of a judge on Monday, U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha said.
Cunha said the applications were filed with agencies in multiple states, including Ohio, Massachusetts, Arizona, and Texas.
About $58,734 in unemployment and COVID benefits were mailed to Allen’s address, said Cunha.
He allegedly conspired to receive debit cards and checks with fraudulent unemployment insurance benefits.
Allen also fraudulently received payments from the Social Security Administration, added Cunha.
