Johnston Lawmaker's Husband Accused Of Stealing Credit Cards

JOHNSTON, RI — The husband of a Johnston lawmaker was charged this month with stealing credits cards and going on a personal shopping spree. Henry Fellela, 61, was indicted in Connecticut on credit card fraud, identity theft and access device charges. Authorities said he committed the thefts while on supervised release from federal prison.

Fellela is the husband of Democratic State Rep. Deborah Fellela. Her husband was convicted in Rhode Island federal court of identity theft, fraud and theft of government funds in 2014 and sentenced to four years in prison followed by four years of supervised release. He was released from prison in March 2018.

The U.S. Department of Justice said between September 2018 and March 2019, Fellela stole credit cards from residents in Connecticut and used them to make thousands of dollars worth of purchases at retail stores throughout that state.

Fellela was arrested on March 8 after authorities received a complaint.

Because of his prior conviction of the same crime, Fellela faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if he is again found guilty — as well as additional charges if he is discovered to have violated the terms of his supervised release.