9 charged with unemployment fraud

NORTH SMITHFIELD, R.I. (WPRI) - State Police have arrested and charged nine Rhode Islanders with fraudulently obtaining unemployment benefits, totalling more than $92,000. Troopers said all nine suspects were collecting benefits, while they were also employed and receiving wages.

Troopers made the arrests Thursday following an investigation it conducted in conjunction with the state Department of Labor and Training.

The nine defendants are:

• Jennifer C. Matteson, 25, of 49 Dyer Avenue, North Kingstown
• Michael R. Beauregard, 49, of 19 Ambrose Drive, Bristol
• John S. Pinkham, 41, of 31 Annie Street, Pawtucket
• Pamela A. Houston, 40, of 4 Point Street, Portsmouth
• Lisa J. Tobias, 41, of 76 Read Avenue, Coventry
• Michael P. Martins, 28, of 7 Williams Avenue, East Providence
• Howard W. Conley, 41, of 12 Jessica Lane, Narragansett
• James W. Cornell, 33, of 18 Larchmont Avenue, North Providence
• Charles R. Brule, 36, of 72 West Shore Road, Warwick

All nine defendants were arraigned at State Police Headquarters before Justice of the Peace Richard Finnegan and released on personal recognizance.