Warwick Man Among 5 Unemployment Fraud Arrests

WARWICK, RI — A Cranston highway worker, also a Warwick resident, was among five people RI State Police charged with SNAP and/or unemployment fraud this week.

The Rhode Island State Police announced that on Thursday, Jan. 22, members of the Financial Crimes Unit arrested the following five people for crimes associated with defrauding the State of Rhode Island’s social services programs. Two defendants were employed by the State of Rhode Island, and one defendant from Warwick,  Daniel Tuirok, 59, of 71 Hobbs Road, Warwick, was employed by the City of Cranston’s Highway Maintenance Division.  while the alleged frauds were committed.

State Police report that they charged Turiok with Obtaining Property by False Pretenses over $10,000 and Access to a Computer for Fraudulent Purposes.

State Police alleged that Tuirok underreported his gross earnings from 2020 through 2021 to fraudulently obtain $36,342 in unemployment benefits. During the alleged time period, Tuirok was employed by the City of Cranston’s Highway Maintenance Division.

Tuirok turned himself in to State Police Headquarters, where he was arraigned by a Justice of the Peace and released on personal recognizance. The arrest was the result of a complaint filed by the Department of Labor and Training’s Unemployment Fraud Unit.

SNAP benefit and unemployment fraud arrests

Additional SNAP benefit and unemployment fraud arrests reported by the State Police included:

• Leng Chy, 37, of 77 Third Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island, was charged with Obtaining Property by False Pretenses over $10,000, Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance over $500, and Giving False Documents to an Agent, Employee, or Public Official. It is alleged that Ms. Chy fraudulently underreported her household income and her employment status from 2018 through 2022 to fraudulently obtain $8,498 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Additionally, it is alleged that Ms. Chy fraudulently underreported her household income and her employment status from 2023 through 2025 to fraudulently obtain $32,602 in Rhode Island Department of Health Services (DHS) medical benefits. Ms. Chy was employed as an Eligibility Technician with the Rhode Island DHS from 2023 through 2024. Ms. Chy turned herself in to State Police Headquarters, where she was arraigned by a Justice of the Peace and released on personal recognizances. The arrest was the result of a complaint filed by the Department of Administration, Office of Internal Audit.
• John Depasquale, 45, of 81 Hyde St., Cranston, Rhode Island, was charged with Obtaining Property by False Pretenses between $1,500 and $5,000, Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance over $500, and Giving False Documents to an Agent, Employee, or Public Official. It is alleged that Mr. Depasquale fraudulently underreported his household income and his employment status from 2022 through 2024 to fraudulently obtain $4,949 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Mr. Depasquale is employed with the Rhode Island Department of Human Services. Mr. Depasquale turned himself in to State Police Headquarters, where he was arraigned by a Justice of the Peace and released on personal recognizances. The arrest was the result of a complaint filed by the Department of Administration, Office of Internal Audit.
•  Melissa Matias, 54 of 75 Orchard Street, Apartment #2, East Providence, Rhode Island, was charged with Obtaining Property by False Pretenses over $10,000 and Access to a Computer for Fraudulent Purposes. It is alleged that Ms. Matias underreported her gross earnings from 2020 through 2025 to fraudulently obtain $25,642 in unemployment benefits. Matias turned herself in to State Police Headquarters, where she was arraigned by a Justice of the Peace and released on personal recognizances. The arrest was the result of a complaint filed by the Department of Labor and Training’s Unemployment Fraud Unit.
• Aaron Sam, 40, of 111 Bagley Street, 1st Floor, Central Falls, Rhode Island, was charged with Obtaining Property by False Pretenses over $10,000 and Access to a Computer for Fraudulent Purposes. It is alleged that Mr. Sam underreported his gross earnings from 2022 through 2025 to fraudulently obtain $24,162 in unemployment benefits. Mr. Sam turned himself in to State Police Headquarters, where he was arraigned by a Justice of the Peace and released on personal recognizances. The arrest was the result of a complaint filed by the Department of Labor and Training’s Unemployment Fraud Unit.