RISP Arrest Cranston Woman for Over $200K in Fraudulent Childcare Payments to Bambini Academy

RISP Arrest Cranston Woman for Over $200K in Fraudulent Childcare Payments to Bambini Academy

The Rhode Island State Police announced on Wednesday the arrest of a Cranston woman for fraudulently obtaining over $200,000 in the Department of Human Services payments for her childcare facility.

About Arrest

In October 2019, the Rhode Island Office of Internal Audit's Fraud Detection and Prevention Unit (OIA) investigators learned of a potential fraud involving Bambini Academy, a licensed daycare facility located at 717 Atwood Avenue in Cranston.

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OIA Investigators conducted an extensive audit of the daycare facility and learned that the owner, Vanessa Parente, had fraudulently collected Child Care Assistance Payments (CCAP) administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS).

The audit revealed that between 2016 and 2019 Parente had fraudulently collected $209,545.88 in CCAP benefits for children that did not attend the daycare facility or were chronically absent.

The arrest was the result of a joint investigative effort among OIA, the Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Unit and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office with DHS' cooperation.

“This investigation exemplifies what our team does every day to root out fraud on behalf of all Rhode Islanders,” said Dorothy Pascale, the Chief of OIA. “The combination of our dedicated, hard-working staff and the analytical tools at our fingertips positions us well to identify fraudulent activities. Addressing fraud is also made possible because of our strong relationships and coordination with partner agencies. This case should serve as a warning that if you are benefiting from public funds under false pretenses, we will find you and hold you to account.”

On Wednesday, July 29, 2020, Detectives from the Financial Crimes Unit arrested Parente for Obtaining Money Under False Pretenses, Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance, and Giving a False Document to a Public Official.

Parente was arraigned at State Police Headquarters before Justice of the Peace Steven Catalano and released on $2,500 Personal Recognizance. She is scheduled to appear in Providence Superior Court on November 2, 2020.

Sentencing -- and Fine -- Guidelines

Any person convicted of Obtaining Money Under False Pretenses over $10,000 shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years or by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or both.

Any person convicted of Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance shall be punished by imprisonment of not more than five (5) years or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or both.
 
Any person convicted of Giving a False Document to a Public Official shall be imprisoned for a term not exceeding one year or be fined not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000).