16 Charged with Unemployment Fraud, 3 from Cranston

State police announced the arrests of 16 people in an unemployment fraud sweep today, of which three are Cranston residents.

The 16 arrested took a total of $162,226 fraudulenty, police said.

"The State Police will continue its vigilance in pursuing those who take advantage of a system that is designed to assist them, especially during these difficult, economic times," said Col. Steven G. O'Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.

Here's a list of those arrested:

• Cara A. Stifano, age 39, of 19 Watkins Avenue, Cranston, RI - $9,085.00
• Antonio P. Varela, age 26, of 432 Lonsdale Avenue, Pawtucket, RI - $5,343.00
• Dennis P. Kelly, age 51, of 485 Douglas Pike Apt. 36, Smithfield, RI - $5,861.00
• Tara L. Mellow, age 39, of 471 Water Street, Portsmouth, RI - $10,895.00
• Belinda Meyer, age 30, of 106 Bouvier Avenue, Lincoln, RI - $9,122.00
• Michael S. Goldman, age 24, of 9 Scandia Avenue, Warwick, RI - $10,839.00
• Roger P. Boutin, age 48, of 291 Killingly Street, Providence, RI - $15,095.00
• Anthony G. Caprio, age 63, of 162 Bracken Street, Cranston, RI – $5,793.00
• Daniel T. Long, age 32, of 136 Custer Street, Warwick, RI - $6,315.00
• Noel E. Garcia, age 26, of 957 Cranston Street, Cranston, RI - $5,690.00
• Ellen G. Becote, age 54, of 131 Mitola Drive, North Kingstown, RI - $41,921.00
• Joseph Saunders, age 48, of 59 John H. Chafee Boulevard, Newport, RI - $10,025.00
• Gerlo Leone, age 35, of 70 Dunnell Avenue Apt. 2, Pawtucket, RI - $5,800.00
• Irene Salazar, age 41, of 631 Daggett Avenue, Pawtucket, RI - $5,366.00
• Louis Montecalvo, age 54, of 151 Ocean Road Apt. 2, Narragansett, RI - $8,942.00
• Nicholson S. Gomes, age 33, of 194 Salina Street, Providence, RI - $6,134.00

All 16 were arraigned and released on personal recognizance.

These felony arrests are part of an ongoing effort by the State Police and the Department of Labor to prosecute unemployment fraud.

"Once again, the excellent work of the State Police has shown all Rhode Islanders that we take the issue of unemployment insurance fraud very seriously," said Charles J. Fogarty, director of the RIDLT.