PROVIDENCE – The state has frozen the $14,000 pension-fund refund requested by Soraya Santiago, a former R.I. Division of Motor Vehicles employee who was arrested in October in an alleged scheme to provide false driver’s licenses.
Santiago’s state employment was terminated after she was arraigned on 11 counts of conspiracy to commit identity fraud.
Santiago had worked for the state for a little more than seven years – not long enough to qualify for a state pension. Like most employees who have left state service without qualifying for a pension, she had contacted the Employees Retirement System of Rhode Island (ERSRI), applying for a refund of her pension contributions.
But, State Treasurer Frank T. Caprio said, “If Ms. Santiago is fined or ordered to make restitution for any losses to the state arising from her activities, it makes no sense for the state to be paying out money to her right now.”
He said he was seeking an opinion from the R.I. Attorney General’s Office on whether the pension contributions could be held, under state law. That request drew an almost immediate response.
“It is certainly appropriate that any funds attributable to that employment be available to compensate the state should fines or restitution be ordered,” R.I. Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch said in a statement, adding: “With the appropriate hold in place, both the state’s and Ms. Santiago’s rights can be protected while this case progresses through the courts.”
A longer version of this article was published Dec. 31 on www.PBN.com.
