Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 11-41-4, obtaining money under false pretenses is defined as every person who shall obtain from another designedly, by any false pretense or pretenses, any money, goods, wares, or other property, with intent to cheat or defraud, and every person who shall personate another or who shall falsely represent himself or herself to be the agent or servant of another and shall receive any money or other property intended to be delivered to the person so personated, or to the alleged principal or master of that agent or servant, shall be deemed guilty of larceny.
There is misdemeanor larceny and felony larceny based on the value of the monies or goods that were involved. Misdemeanor larceny includes goods worth $1,500.00 or less, whereas felony larceny is for goods valued at over $1,500.00 or any firearm. The man is charged with felony misappropriation of funds. It is alleged he received over $42,000.00 in tuition assistance.
The penalties if convicted of felony larceny include imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years or by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or both. The penalties if convicted of misdemeanor larceny include imprisonment for not more than one year, or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or both.