The Justice Department said fifteen individuals — eleven described as illegal aliens and four U.S. citizens — have been charged in Massachusetts in connection with more than $1.4 million in alleged fraud involving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, MassHealth, and disability and unemployment benefits.
The charges, announced this week, are the latest from a Benefit & Voter Fraud Team that U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley created in Massachusetts in late March, and come as the Justice Department’s recently formed National Fraud Enforcement Division ramps up enforcement nationally.
“Fraud by illegal aliens carries real and substantial costs to American taxpayers and places enormous strain on our public benefits systems,” said Colin M. McDonald, the assistant attorney general who leads the Fraud Division.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the defendants, once their cases are resolved, would be removed from the country. Foley said her office would begin announcing similar charges on a rolling basis.
Among those named in the announcement, Heriberto Rodriguez of Framingham was charged with passport fraud, SNAP fraud and aggravated identity theft in a case authorities tied to more than $546,000 in combined benefit losses across multiple programs. Mirian Chalas of Salem, N.H., a U.S. citizen, was charged with making false statements in connection with alleged MassHealth, Social Security disability and SNAP fraud. Several other defendants face charges ranging from aggravated identity theft to theft of government funds, with alleged losses in individual cases ranging from roughly $4,000 to more than $200,000.
One case described in the announcement involves an alleged scheme in which co-conspirators staged a fake armed robbery so participants could apply for U visas as crime victims; Mitul Patel was charged with conspiracy to commit visa fraud in that matter.
Several defendants are listed in charging documents as “John Doe,” with officials saying their identities remain unknown because they allegedly lived under stolen identities.
Federal officials from the Department of Labor, Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General participated in the announcement, which authorities described as part of a broader, continuing effort to root out fraud in public-benefit programs.
The charges carry penalties that vary by offense, with some counts — including SNAP fraud above $5,000 and unlawful production of identification documents — carrying maximum sentences of up to 20 years and 15 years in prison, respectively. Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory consecutive two-year sentence. Officials noted that sentences are ultimately determined by a federal judge applying U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The Justice Department said the public can report suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1.