PROVIDENCE – Christopher Hayes, 49, of Middletown, R.I., a former Newport, R.I., Police Department Sergeant and former President of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Newport Lodge No. 8, made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence today on an information charging him with wire fraud. A not guilty plea was entered during his initial appearance and arraignment before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond. Hayes was released on $10,000 unsecured bond.

It is alleged in court documents that between August 2009 and December 2014, Hayes used an FOP debit card to pay for his own personal expenses; wrote checks payable to himself from the FOP bank account; withdrew cash from the FOP bank account for personal use; and made online payments to his personal credit card from the FOP bank account. It is alleged that Hayes fraudulently converted approximately $71,523 in FOP funds for his own personal use.

Hayes’ initial appearance and arraignment are announced by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island; U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General and Office of Labor Management Standards; and the Rhode Island State Police.

An information and plea agreement in this matter were filed with the U.S. District Court on March 20, 2017.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.

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