Rhode Island Office Manager Sentenced for Embezzlement and TDI Fraud

Tianna Keller, 59, a former office manager in Rhode Island, was sentenced to over two years in federal prison for embezzling nearly $570,000Photo byAlexander MilsonUnsplash

Tianna Keller, 59, a former office manager and bookkeeper for a medical practice in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, has been sentenced to more than two years in federal prison for embezzling nearly $570,000 from the medical practice and fraudulently applying for and receiving more than $11,000 in Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) benefits, according to an announcement today by Department of Justice (DOJ) official Zachary A. Cunha.

Keller was also ordered to pay $579,857 in restitution to the medical practice, an insurance company that covered part of the loss, and the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training’s Temporary Disability (TDI) Benefits program.

According to court documents and information presented in court, Keller orchestrated schemes that included adding family members and friends as unauthorized paid employees.

She also diverted patient co-payments and other business funds to cover her personal expenses, pay off tens of thousands of dollars in personal credit card debt, settle wireless phone bills, and make college tuition payments for a family member.

According to information presented to the court, after her fraud was discovered, Keller went on medical leave from the practice. Upon the expiration of her leave, she was terminated from her position and applied for, and was granted, TDI benefits.

Shortly after securing new employment, Keller continued to report to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training that she was unable to work and continued to collect TDI payments she was not entitled to receive.

According to the DOJ, the matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor – Employee Benefits Security Administration, and Rhode Island State Police.