Providence Resident Detained on Extortion Charges

PROVIDENCE – Randy Lutz, 35, of Providence, a former employee of a non-profit medical provider in Providence, was ordered detained in federal custody today on extortion charges. It is alleged that Lutz attempted to extort payment from his former employer in return for property and information belonging to the agency.

Lutz was arrested this afternoon on a federal criminal complaint charging him with one count of interference with commerce by extortion and one count of use of interstate facility (email) to carry out extortion. Lutz made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan.

Randy Lutz’s arrest and initial appearance are announced by Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Division.

As part of the on-going investigation into this matter, on July 20, 2017, FBI agents and task force officers executed a court authorized search of Lutz’s residence. During the search, four thumb drives, a laptop computer and cell phone were seized.

According to information presented to the court, it is alleged that after the search of Lutz’s residence was completed and members of law enforcement had left the residence, Lutz telephoned an officer of the agency at which he was previously employed and emailed a high-ranking officer at Lifespan to further discuss the matter.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly.

Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Division acknowledge and thank the Providence Police Department for their assistance in the investigation of this matter.

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