Fmr. Senate aid accused in $70K theft

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - A former top aid at the State House accused in a massive check forging scheme pleaded not guilty to dozens of charges Tuesday morning in Providence Superior Court.

Raymond Hoyas Jr., 50, was arraigned on 52 counts of forgery and counterfeiting, one count of larceny and one count of obtaining money under false pretenses. Once the former Deputy Chief of Staff to former Senate President Joseph Montalbano, Hoyas is now accused of stealing about $70,000 by forging payroll checks in the names of dozens of Senate pages.

According to prosecutors, Hoyas falsified the hours of 52 pages between 2005 and 2008, received payroll checks in their names, forged their signatures and deposited the money into his personal checking account.

Prosecutors said Hoyas used a money to support a gambling habit.

After the arraignment, the judge ordered Hoyas released on $10,000 personal recognizance. Outside of court Hoyas' lawyer did not comment about the case.

Hoyas Jr. resigned in January of 2009 as Deputy Chief of Staff, right around the same time that Rhode Island State Police received a tip and began their investigation into the alleged scheme.

Hoyas also served on the Pawtucket City Council from 1997 to 2004.