Rhode Island General Laws Title 28. Labor and Labor Relations § 28-42-62.1. Fraud and abuse

(a)(1) It shall be unlawful to do any of the following:

(2) For purposes of this section, “statement” includes, but is not limited to, the receipt of unemployment benefits deposited to a direct deposit account or electronic payment card, any endorsement of a benefit check, application for registration, oral or written statement or report, proof of unemployment, or other documentation offered as proof of, or the absence of, entitlement to benefits or the amount of benefits.

(3) If it is determined that any person concealed or knowingly failed to disclose that which is required by law to be revealed; knowingly gave or used perjured testimony or false evidence; knowingly made a false statement of fact; participated in the creation or presentation of evidence which he or she knows to be false; or otherwise engaged in conduct in violation of this section, that person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject in criminal proceedings to a fine and/or penalty not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or double the value of the fraud, whichever is greater, or by imprisonment up to one year in state prison, or both.

(4) Beginning October 1, 2013, whenever the director establishes that an erroneous payment was made to an individual due to fraud committed by the individual, that individual will be assessed a penalty equal to fifteen percent (15%) of the amount of the erroneous payment. All penalties assessed and collected under this subsection shall be immediately deposited into the employment security fund.