Rhode Island supervisor pleads guilty to SNAP fraud

Nadine Jean Baptiste, a 59-year-old former supervisor for the Rhode Island Department of Human Services, has pleaded guilty in federal court to defrauding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

According to federal prosecutors, Baptiste used her official position to access personal information and exploit the benefits of SNAP recipients. Her actions included accessing Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card information, conducting unauthorized telephonic balance inquiries, and altering associated PINs. The scheme allegedly involved more than $300,000 in benefits, which Baptiste and her daughter reportedly used for personal purchases.

The investigation began in September 2023 after the Rhode Island Office of Internal Audit received complaints from individuals who reported they never received their issued EBT cards. Many of the targeted victims were vulnerable populations, including juveniles, homeless individuals, or people who were incarcerated at the time their information was accessed.