Johnston Man Pleads No Contest to Unemployment Fraud

JOHNSTON, RI — A Johnston man agreed today to repay $39,972 he collected from unemployment while he was working.

According to Atty. Gen. Peter F. Kilmartin, Vladimir Catano, 35, pleaded nolo contendere (on Nov. 29) before Superior Court Magistrate Patrick Burke to one count of obtaining money under false pretenses and one count of fraudulent access to a computer system for the purpose of obtaining money under false or fraudulent pretenses. He was accused of "collecting nearly $40,000 of unemployment insurance benefits of which he was not entitled to receive," Kilmartin said.

"Under the terms of the plea, Catano was sentenced to 10 years probation and ordered to pay $39,972 in restitution at a rate of no less than $333 per month," he said.

Catano was calling in his unemployment claims to the state Department of Labor and Training but did not report his wages. He was working for General Cable Industries, LLC in Lincoln. The fraud occurred between Dec. 24, 2011 and June 27, 2015.

“Despite what many may think, unemployment insurance fraud is not a victimless crime," Kilmartin said. "It’s our business community and those who legitimately need unemployment insurance that are the victims. And, we will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who think they can defraud the system without any consequences.”

According to his office, in 2016, the State has successfully prosecuted 32 individuals for unemployment insurance benefit fraud, with court-ordered restitution of approximately $420,000.