Former New Bedford Couple Arrested in Texas for Wire Fraud

A former New Bedford couple, now residing in Texas, has been charged with filing false claims in order to receive pandemic unemployment assistance.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says 35-year-old Tiffany and 47-year old Arthur Pacheco were arrested this week in San Antonio, Texas. Both were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

According to court documents, Tiffany Pacheco was working for the Mass. Department of Unemployment Assistance when she allegedly submitted fraudulent claims for assistance for both herself and her husband, who was incarcerated in Texas at the time, and not eligible for benefits.

During the investigation, police carried out a search warrant at a New Bedford apartment where the couple had resided and found several items used for identity theft, including an i-d laminator, 100 blank i-d cards, more than 600 sheets of blank checks,  and around $17,000 in cash.

Both were expected to appear Friday in a Texas courtroom. The couple faces a sentence of up to 20-years in prison if convicted.

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security's Investigation Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force.