RIDOT Engineer Arrested for Identity Fraud

Categories: Rhode Island Breaking NewsRhode Island News

An artistic representation of identity fraud symbolizing deceit in financial transactions.

News Summary

Ryan P. Garnetto, a 45-year-old engineer at RIDOT, was arrested for identity fraud and acquiring a $51,000 Mercedes-Benz through fraudulent means. He faces four felony charges after an investigation revealed falsified documents and suspicious loan activities. Garnetto was released on bond and will appear in court in September 2025. This case raises concerns about internal security at government agencies and public trust in financial systems.

Rhode Island – Ryan P. Garnetto, a 45-year-old engineer working for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), was arrested on June 3, 2025, by the Rhode Island State Police. He faces serious legal troubles after being charged with identity fraud and a scheme involving the fraudulent acquisition of a $51,000 Mercedes-Benz.

Garnetto has been charged with four felonies: identity fraud, false statement to obtain a loan, writing a fraudulent check over $1,500, and obtaining money under false pretenses. Following his arrest, he was arraigned at the Third Division District Court and subsequently released on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond. A future court appearance is scheduled for September 3, 2025.

The investigation into Garnetto’s activities began in February 2025 when the State Police Financial Crimes Unit received a complaint from Westerly Community Credit Union. The complaint highlighted a fraudulent account and a vehicle loan that had been issued in December 2024. The investigation revealed that the fraudulent application, submitted on December 4, 2024, sought to open multiple accounts, including a savings account, checking account, Visa credit card, and a loan for a high-end vehicle.

It was determined that the loan proceeded with the intention of purchasing a 2019 Mercedes-Benz from an out-of-state car dealer in Georgia. Investigators uncovered that the application contained a variety of falsified documents, including a Rhode Island operator’s license, pay stubs, a vehicle bill of sale, vehicle title, and insurance documents.

In a significant development, on January 9, 2025, an individual deposited a check amounting to $5,265.00 into the newly opened account, which was later identified as fraudulent. Further examination of surveillance footage revealed that this individual was driving a vehicle marked with RIDOT insignia, raising red flags concerning the propriety of the accounts and the associated loan.

The investigation uncovered that all documents submitted for opening the accounts and securing the loan—save for the vehicle bill of sale—were indeed fabricated. Alarmingly, the account was registered in the name of someone who had been incarcerated at the Rhode Island Adult Correctional Institution since 2019, thereby making it impossible for that individual to open any accounts.

Evidence collected during the investigation pointed decisively to Garnetto as the architect behind the fraudulent scheme. Authorities established that he was responsible for filing the fraudulent loan applications and account openings with Westerly Community Credit Union online.

This case has raised concerns regarding internal security measures and oversight within government agencies such as RIDOT, particularly considering Garnetto’s position as an engineer within the department. His arrest adds to the growing scrutiny of fraud and financial misconduct cases within the state.

As the legal process unfolds, the outcome of Garnetto’s case will be closely monitored by both law enforcement and financial institutions in Rhode Island. The allegations carry significant implications for public trust, government accountability, and the integrity of financial systems in the state.