PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A Hartford man is accused of defrauding family members and friends of nearly $400,000 by telling them he needed the money after a botched medical procedure authorities said never happened.
Authorities announced Friday that Robert Oathout was arraigned in federal court in Providence on eight counts of wire fraud.
Prosecutors say the 35-year-old Oathout convinced his victims to transfer him funds before, while and after he was detained on unrelated drug charges at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls. Oathout claimed he needed money to pay medical expenses in advance of a $1 million settlement from a botched medical procedure performed on him at a Hartford medical facility.
Prosecutors say Oathout needed the money to repay gambling debts.
It’s unclear whether Oathout has a lawyer.
