A Rhode Island Department of Human Services supervisor pleaded guilty on Aug. 4 to charges related to the misuse of her position in a scheme involving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Nadine Jean Baptiste, 59, of Warwick, admitted in federal court that she repeatedly accessed SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer card information without authorization, conducted telephonic balance inquiries, and changed PIN numbers associated with those cards. Many affected individuals were juveniles, homeless, or incarcerated when their information was accessed.
According to prosecutors, more than $300,000 in SNAP benefits were improperly accessed through these actions. It is further alleged that Jean Baptiste and her daughter used fraudulently obtained SNAP benefits for personal purchases. The investigation began in September 2023 after the Rhode Island Office of Internal Audit received multiple complaints from SNAP recipients via its Fraud Hotline stating they never received their EBT cards. Typically, SNAP cards are mailed directly to recipients or provided at a Department of Human Services office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter I. Roklan and Special Assistant United States Attorney John Moreira. The investigation involved the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General; Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General; Rhode Island Office of Internal Audit and Program Integrity- Fraud Detection & Prevention Unit; with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and several local police departments.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island promotes safer communities through initiatives like the Elder Justice Program that assist vulnerable residents and enforces federal laws across the state by working with agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives through prosecutions and civil actions designed to protect public safety and interest, according to the official website.