Newport Police Union Fraud: Conheeny Pleads Guilty

NEWPORT, RI—Adam Conheeny, a former Newport patrol officer and union official, pleaded guilty to wire fraud Thursday in Providence federal court. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, he admitted to taking more than $31,000 from the union's bank account and using it for personal expenses. Previously, the government said, he put $204 on a debit card he presented at Foxwoods, a transaction that exposed him to a wire fraud charge.

Conheeny, 46, of Portsmouth, is the former treasurer of the Newport Fraternal Order of Police. He admitted he withdrew money from the union's bank account, wrote checks and used the debit card for personal expenses. The money was taken between August 2009 and December 2014.

He is the second former Newport police officer to plead guilty to wire fraud. Christopher Hayes, 49, of Middletown, a former Newport police sergeant and past union president, was sentenced to six months in federal prison plus six months home confinement for taking "approximately $71,523" from the same union, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Newport Lodge No. 8.

Conheeny is due back in court for sentencing on Sept. 14.

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