Narragansett Man Among 15 Charged With Unemployment Fraud

On June 7, detectives from the Rhode Island State Police, in conjunction with officials from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, arrested 15 individuals for obtaining money under false pretenses greater than $500.

Included among the arrests were Narragansett resident Michael Chepasko. According to state police, the 49-year-old resident of 6608 Point Judith Road took more than $5,530 in unemployment benefits from the state illegally.

These arrests are all felony charges in violation of Rhode Island General Law section 11-41-4. They represent an on-going effort by state police and the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training to crack down on those individuals who fraudulently obtain unemployment benefits from the State of Rhode Island.

In addition to Chepasko, the following 14 people were arrested:

• Timothy M. Haigh, age 46, of 18 Tucker Road, Cumberland, RI - $5,036.00
• Stephen L. Doyle, age 35, of 49 Willow Street, Providence, RI - $16,195.00
• Ryan C. Trant, age 32, of 220 Railroad Street, Manville, RI – $7,750.00
• Steven P. Falcone, age 42, of 60 Main Street, Ashaway, RI - $8,976.00
• Zizi Stevens, age 26, of 502 Plainfield Street, Providence, RI - $8,846.00
• Michael J. Norton, age 26, of 84 Alexander Street, North Providence, RI - $5,154.00
• Eric J. Mayo, age 41, of 305 Tenth Avenue, Woonsocket, RI – $5,129.00
• Patricia A. Proulx, age 35, of 83 Brown Street, Cranston, RI - $18,992.00
• Charles Denofa, age 63, of 186 Vincent Avenue, North Providence, RI - $14,135.00
• Jose L. Roque, age 43, of 127 Niagra Street, Providence, RI - $20,705.00
• Omalabi M. Balogun, age 39, of 113 Parker Street, Woonsocket, RI - $13,338.00
• Brian G. Gardiner, age 43, of 41 Old Rose Hill Road, South Kingstown, RI – $5,335.00
• Richard D. White, age 37, of 30 McNiff Street, West Warwick, RI - $6,515.00
• Sergio V. Otero, age 25, of 20 Ninth Street, Providence, RI – $11,858.00

Those arrested during this investigation were arraigned on the felony charge and released on personal recognizance. Collectively, these individuals are accused of fraudulently collecting benefits totaling about $153,494.

The Department of Labor and Training and the Rhode Island State Police pledge to continue this effort in arresting those responsible for fraudulently collecting unemployment benefits. Additional arrests are expected in the near future.

Release courtesy of Captain James O. Demers, a detective commander with the Rhode Island State Police. If you'd like to be e-mailed when further Narragansett-related police reports come out, click the follow-up button below.