Press Release  New Bedford Man Indicted for Unemployment Fraud, Larceny

Boston — A New Bedford man was indicted on multiple charges in connection with a scheme to collect unemployment benefits while working, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Scott Arruda, age 36, of New Bedford, was indicted last week by a Suffolk County Grand Jury on Unemployment Fraud (8 counts) and Larceny Over $250 (4 counts). Arruda will be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court on July 8.

The AG’s Office alleges that in four separate periods from May 2014 through September 2017, Arruda worked at three different companies as a carpenter and framer while also collecting unemployment benefits. As a result, the AG’s Office alleges that Arruda stole $23,541 in unemployment benefits.  

These charges are the result of investigations referred to the Attorney General’s Office by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s Department of Unemployment Assistance (EOLWD/DUA).

AG Healey’s Insurance and Unemployment Fraud Unit works to protect consumers and the integrity of the insurance system by investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against all types of insurers, including the Commonwealth’s unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation systems.

To report unemployment fraud call the EOLWD/DUA’s Fraud Hotline at 1-800-354-9927 or visit: www.mass.gov/lwd/ui-fraud anytime, 24 hours a day. Callers may remain anonymous.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Kristy Lavigne and Investigator Michael Azevedo, both of AG Healey’s Insurance and Unemployment Fraud Unit, with assistance from investigators at EOLWD/DUA.

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