Providence Woman Accused Of $22K In Wage Theft

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Providence employer is accused of stealing more than $20,000 in unpaid wages from her employee, from 2018 to 2019.

Patricia Kenney, 37, was charged with wage theft and three counts of issuing a fraudulent check over $1,500.

Kenney is accused of withholding $22,200 in pay from an employee from September 2018 to March 2019. At the time, the employee was working as a creative director for Kenney's lifestyle media company, Attorney General Peter Neronha's office explained. During her time with the company, the employee did web design and marketing services, and was not paid for several months' worth of work.

In March 2021, Kenney issued the emplyoee three checks, totaling the amount owed. All three bounced due to insufficient funds, according to Neronha's office.

After receiving the bad checks, the employee reached out to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training and State Police. During the investigation, the Attorney General's Office was brought in, eventually charging Kenney with fraud.

Kenney is set to be arraigned Jan. 19 in Providence County Superior Court.

Under Rhode Island law, wage theft crimes are all misdemeanors. Last year, the attorney general partnered with lawmakers to introduce legislation that would make wage theft a felony. While it did not pass last year, Neronha said it will be reintroduced this session.

Correction: A previous version of this article misstated Kenney’s age.