Ex-Social Security mgr. faces fraud, ID theft charges

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- A former Social Security administrator is facing a slew of charges after he's been accused of stealing a man's identity and selling stock certificates in his name.

Randolph Hurst, 49, of West Warwick, was arrested Friday morning and indicted on nine charges. The former Assistant District Manager for the Social Security Administration in Warwick allegedly stole the identity of a Coventry man back in 2010, and used the identity to fraudulently sell more than $160,000 worth of stock certificates belonging to the victim.

The U.S. District Attorney's office tells us he and his wife then spent the proceeds on the sale of the stock on personal items and expenses.

The charges against Hurst include two counts of mail fraud, three counts of filing false tax returns, and one count each of aggravated identity theft, money laundering, tax evasion, and transportation of stolen securities.

Justin Silviera, 28, of Coventry, a relative of Hurst, has also been indicted on two counts of perjury for allegedly lying to a federal grand jury during an investigation into Hurst's crimes.

Hurst released on $50,000 unsecured bond following his indictment. Silviera will appear in court at a later date.