Rhode Island Department of Human Services Supervisor, Daughter Charged in Schemes to Defraud Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

PROVIDENCE, RI - United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha announced today that a Rhode Island Department of Human Services (RI DHS) supervisor now faces federal charges for allegedly using her position to improperly access the personal information of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits (SNAP) recipients, as well as SNAP EBT benefit card balance information, and, that she and her daughter allegedly used fraudulently accessed SNAP benefits for their own personal purchases.

It is alleged that Nadine Jean Baptiste, 57, of Warwick, repeatedly conducted telephonic balance inquiries on EBT benefit cards, frequently changing the PIN numbers associated with those cards. It is alleged that some of the individuals whose information was repeatedly accessed were either juveniles or individuals who were, at the time, homeless or incarcerated. It is further alleged that SNAP EBT benefit cards with a value of approximately $191,000 were improperly accessed.

The investigation into this matter was launched in September 2023, when the Rhode Island Office of Internal Audit received complaints from SNAP recipients via the Internal Audit Fraud Hotline alleging that they did not receive EBT benefit cards issued to them, which are commonly mailed to the address of the recipient or obtained in-person from a DHS office in the case of a homeless recipient.

Nadine Jean Baptiste and Octavia Jean Baptiste are each charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, illegal acquisition or use of SNAP benefits, and conspiracy. Nadine Baptiste was arrested earlier today at her place of employment. She is scheduled to appear before a U.S. Magistrate at 2pm. An arrest warrant has been issued for Octavia Baptiste.

A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter I. Roklan

The matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Office of Inspector General, Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General, and Rhode Island Office of Internal Audit - Fraud Detection & Prevention Unit. Valuable assistance is being provided by the U.S. Marshals Service, Warwick Police Department, Providence Police Department, and Woonsocket Police Department.

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