PROVIDENCE – Patrick Clyne and Ibtisama Bradley, formerly of Providence, were arrested by postal inspectors today at Logan Airport in Boston as they returned from Ireland to face federal charges, according to Tom Connell of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Providence.
The husband and wife are accused of bilking the Rhode Island School of Design of more than $1 million through fraudulent billing. A federal grand jury in Providence returned an 11-count indictment against them on March 21. The charges – originally placed under seal – were announced March 27 by U.S. Attorney Robert Clark Corrente and U.S. Postal Inspection Service Inspector in Charge Peter Zegarac.
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The couple are accused of setting up a shell company to bill RISD for fire-safety work they never performed. At the time, prosecutors say, Clyne was working at RISD in a position that gave him authority to request and approve such work.
In 1997, Bradley allegedly set up Ankh Electric Inc., a Delaware corporation with a bank account and post office box in Rhode Island. Between 1997 and 2005, Clyne allegedly approved more than $1 million in fraudulent invoices for work supposedly performed by Ankh.
The couple were arraigned at 4 p.m. in U.S. District Court, Providence, before Magistrate Judge David L. Martin. Both entered pleas of not guilty.
They were released on $100,000 bond, secured by family real estate in Providence and North Kingstown, the U.S. Attorney’s office said.
Bradley, 58, and Clyne, whose age is not given in court records, face one count each of conspiracy and 10 counts each of mail fraud.
If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine on the conspiracy charge and up to 20 years imprisonment and $250,000 in fines on each count of mail fraud. The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of real estate in Ballinamore, Ireland, and of the couple’s last known Rhode Island address, at 67 Ridge St., Providence.
