New Yorker Charged With Defrauding RI Law Firm: Feds

PROVIDENCE, RI — A New Yorker was charged with participating in a money laundering scheme that defrauded a Rhode Island law firm and other businesses out of $8 million, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

A federal grand jury in Rhode Island returned a seven-count indictment against Tushal Rathod, 45, of Baldwinsville, charging him with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, money laundering conspiracy, money laundering, concealment of money laundering and engaging in transactions with proceeds of criminal activity, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a media release.

"The indictment alleges that Rathod worked with individuals that he met online to receive fraudulent proceeds and launder those funds through businesses and financial accounts, some of which he created, keeping an approximate 10% cut for himself," according to the release.

"The fraud scheme involved business email compromise, account takeover, and counterfeit checks," the release said. "Among the victims of the fraud and money laundering conspiracy detailed in the indictment are a Rhode Island law firm who was defrauded of more than $163,200; a California credit union that was defrauded of approximately $8,000,000; and an Information Technology company of $154,900."