Three Plymouth residents were charged in the Suffolk Superior Court earlier this week, accused of defrauding $97,000-plus from the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), confirmed by the Massachusetts Attorney General's office.
The three defendants, Aaron Fernandes, Katherine Quigley, and Rebecca Holmes, are facing charges of unemployment fraud, larceny over $1,200, identity fraud, and committing larceny and conspiracy. The investigation was sparked by a tip-off to the Office of the Inspector General's (OIG) fraud hotline and pursued in tandem by the Attorney General's Office and the OIG.
Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell expressed unwavering dedication to fighting fraudulent misuse of public resources. “We will in serious pursuit keep investigating any allegations regarding the exploitation of critical public funds.” Inspector General Jeffrey S. Shapiro echoed her sentiments, praising the investigative teams' diligence.
Upon arraignment, all three defendants were ordered to avoid contact with involved witnesses or victims. While Fernandes is detained on a $2,500 cash bail, Quigley and Holmes have been placed on probation with similar no-contact conditions.
