SCITUATE – The R.I. State Police have arrested Christopher G. Matteson for allegedly stealing $109,000 from a training program for members of the United Nurses & Allied Professionals Local 5098 at Rhode Island Hospital while serving as the program’s executive director.
The arrest stems from an investigation that began in August 2017, when UNAP/RI Local 5098 representatives contacted the R.I. State Police Financial Crimes Unit.
Union officials told detectives the loss of the funds that Matteson allegedly stole resulted in the collapse of the program, called “Stepping Up.” It provided continuing education programs and job training for health care workers and allied professionals at RIH.
Matteson has been charged with embezzlement over $1,500, a felony; forgery and counterfeiting in general; obtaining money under false pretenses, also a felony; and soliciting another to commit a crime.
Following the announcement from the R.I. State Police, Rhode Island Hospital and UNAP/RI issued a statement that explained that the UNAP-Rhode Island Hospital Education Trust, which sponsored the program, had reached out to the state police following an audit of financial irregularities.
The statement clarified that UNAP members’ union dues are not paid into the trust and were not impacted by the alleged wrongdoing.
“We are deeply troubled by the charges brought against a former employee of Stepping Up,” the organization’s statement said. “As a pending legal matter, we cannot comment further.”
