Tiverton Woman Arrested For Fraudulently Obtaining Over $26K in State Benefits

Colonel Steven G. O'Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Commissioner of Public Safety, announces that members of the Financial Crimes Unit arrested a Tiverton woman for allegedly obtaining $26,896.79 from the state Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and RIte Care medical benefits.

On Monday, Tiffany R. Briere, age 31, of 257 King Road, Tiverton, Rhode Island was arrested and charged with Obtaining Money Under False Pretenses over $1,500.00 and Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance over $500.00.

The investigation by the Financial Crimes Unit was initiated after receiving a complaint from the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS). The investigation resulted in the issuance of an arrest warrant alleging that between November 1, 2012 and November 1, 2013, Ms. Briere intentionally under-reported her income in order to be eligible for state benefits. During this time, Ms. Briere received $3,478.00 in SNAP benefits and $23,418.79 in RIte Care benefits.

Ms. Briere was arraigned today in Sixth Division District Court before the Honorable Administrative Judge Elaine T. Bucci and released on $20,000 personal recognizance. Ms. Briere is scheduled for a pre-arraignment conference in Sixth Division District Court on September 2, 2014.

The penalty for a person convicted of Obtaining Money Under False Pretenses over $1,500.00 is imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years or a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or both. The penalty for a person convicted of Fraudulently Obtaining Assistance is imprisonment for not more than five (5) years, or a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both.

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