State fraud charges in Rhode Island are prosecuted under state statutes in Rhode Island District or Superior Court. Federal fraud charges (wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, securities fraud, healthcare fraud) are prosecuted under federal law in U.S. District Court at the John O. Pastore Federal Building in Providence. Federal fraud cases typically involve larger dollar amounts, interstate or international elements, federal program funds (Medicare, Medicaid, federal grants), or federal agency investigations. Federal sentences run under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and are typically significantly longer than equivalent state sentences, with mandatory restitution and supervised release after prison.
