WEBSTER — A Webster woman, her daughter and her daughter’s boyfriend have been charged after she allegedly took patient information while she worked at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester.
Police said Katherine Benitez, 54, of 308 High St., Webster, passed the stolen information to her daughter Elese Elia, 30, and her boyfriend, Derrick Amoh, 33. The young couple allegedly purchased cellular telephones and obtained utilities including cable television and electricity using the alleged victims’ names. Police have identified more than 20 victims during the investigation which started in August and was conducted by Sgt. Thomas Ralph.
Ms. Benitez was arrested Thursday and arraigned in Dudley District Court on Friday on 21 counts of identity fraud. She was also charged with conspiracy, forgery, uttering a false document, larceny of more than $250, larceny of more than $250 from a person 60 years old or older or disabled, obtaining cable television service by fraud over $5,000, obtaining cable television service by fraud under $5,000, obtaining telephone service by fraud over $5,000 and telephone service by fraud under $5,000. Police said there are arrest warrants for Ms. Benitez’s daughter and her boyfriend, who will be facing the same charges.
Contact Kim Ring at kim.ring@telegram.com
By Kim Ring
Telegram & Gazette Staff