WPRO Newsroom and the Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – Rhode Island state police have confirmed they're reviewing a new report on fraud and waste in state welfare programs and asking the federal government for more information.
State Police Superintendent Steven O'Donnell says he has looked at the report compiled for free by former gubernatorial candidate Ken Block's software company. O'Donnell says he's seeking federal data to help investigate potential abuse of welfare programs.
The report looked at possible problems in Medicaid, cash assistance, food stamp and child care programs, including whether ineligible people received benefits.
Gov. Lincoln Chafee has declined to release the findings, saying he doesn't want to jeopardize a potential criminal probe.
But state officials have received requests to release the report under open records laws and have until Wednesday to decide whether to grant them.
