Providence Man Accused Of CARES Act Fraud

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Providence man is accused of using stolen identities to fraudulently apply for unemployment insurance in Pennsylvania, funded by federal coronavirus relief money. Courtney Hilaire, 28, faces 17 charges in an indictment from a federal grand jury in Providence.

According to the Department of Justice, Hilaire, who used the pseudonym "Mr. Vacation," stole social security numbers and other personal information such as dates of birth and used them to apply for unemployment insurance payments in Pennsylvania in July 2020. He withdrew payments at least seven times starting in August 2020 from Rhode Island ATMs, the state's acting U.S. Attorney said.

Officials also accused Hilaire of partnering with another person to fraudulently apply for at least 28 CARES Act Economic Injury Disaster Loans through the Small Business Administration.

Hilaire was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 14 counts of wire fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft. He is one of 24 people charged with defrauding federal coronavirus relief programs in Rhode Island.

Related: 15 More People Charged With CARES Act Fraud In Rhode Island