Updated: Former Newport Police Union President to Plead Guilty to Wire Fraud

NEWPORT, RI—Former police union head, Christopher Hayes, has accepted a deal and will plead guilty to one count of wire fraud, according to papers filed Monday in Providence federal court.

Hayes was accused of taking about $71,253 of union money and diverting it for his personal use. The misappropriations allegedly occurred between August 2009 and December 2014.

According to court records, Hayes had a debit card with the Fraternal Order of Police. He was entitled to $150 per month plus cell phone costs. The U.S. Attorney's Office charged he used the card to pay personal expenses, wrote checks to himself against the union's account; withdrew cash from the union's account; and made online payments to his personal credit from the FOP account.

The specific charge is related to an Aug. 11, 2014 payment for $1679.07 to his Capitol One credit card account.

Had he gone to trial, been found guilty and received the maximum sentence, he could have faced 20 years in prison plus three years probation and a $200,000 fine, plus the $100 special assessment.

The sentence is pending. His arraignment is set for Friday at 11 a.m.

Jason Brown, president of Newport's police union, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 8, gave this written statement when asked for comment.

"The Newport Fraternal Order of Police is glad to see that this part of the investigation is over. A goal of
ours has always been to recoup the money that was taken, and we are hopeful there will be restitution
made to the members of this union. I would like to make clear that this issue in no way is reflective of the
Newport Police Department or the 25 honorable years that Sgt. Hayes served this city in his capacity as a
Police Officer. This was an internal FOP union matter, and in no way involved any City or Taxpayer
funds.

"This has been a long standing investigation in which the union and our members were the victims. It
would be an understatement to say that we are disappointed that this ever happened, but we are glad this
part is over, and look forward to moving forward in a positive direction."

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