Rhode Island

Irish ‘traveling conman’ charged in $2m home repair scam in R.I., Mass. – The Boston Globe

Published

12 months ago

April 4, 2025

Irish ‘traveling conman’ charged in m home repair scam in R.I., Mass. – The Boston Globe

O’Brien and others are accused of defrauding property owners by convincing them to pay for home repairs that were not needed and often not completed. He is also accused of misrepresenting the qualifications of his purported construction business, Traditional Masonry & Construction, according to court documents.

O’Brien’s alleged scheme came to the attention of authorities when an 83-year-old Warwick homeowner contacted the Warwick Police Department to complain that he had been defrauded by a contractor.

The homeowner, identified as Victim 1 in court documents, reported that O’Brien told him that, while doing work in the neighborhood, he spotted cracks in the foundation of the man’s home, court documents state.

“O’Brien informed Victim 1 that he was from Ireland,” stated an affidavit in support of the arrest warrant. “Victim 1 stated that he felt a bond with O’Brien over their shared heritage, and that this bond caused Victim 1 to ‘trust’ O’Brien.”

The homeowner paid O’Brien $9,500 to repair the foundation, but as work proceeded, O’Brien allegedly claimed he found further damage and asked the homeowner for $80,000, according to court documents. The man was set to take out a line of credit when police intervened.

A home inspector hired by the US Attorney’s Office later reviewed the property and found no need for extensive foundation repairs.

Court documents say other alleged victims have described similar interactions with O’Brien that began with unsolicited recommendations for small home repairs, followed by claims that he’d discovered the need for major repairs.

The victims included four homeowners in Warwick, two in Providence, one in Pawtucket, and one in West Roxbury, Mass., according to an affidavit written by an East Providence police officer on a Homeland Security Investigations task force.

Investigators say they found hundreds of fliers in the Traditional Masonry & Construction truck identical to the ones handed to victims, and they found four binders containing quotes, contracts, and invoices dated between April 2024 and March 2025.

The contracts, ranging from $300 to $205,000, totaled $1,987,650, according to court documents.

Federal authorities said the alleged scheme, known as “traveling conman fraud,” is becoming increasingly common throughout the United States.

According to the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center, conmen travelers are groups of residents of Ireland or the United Kingdom who enter the United States on pleasure or tourist visas and overstay their visits or, more commonly, enter the country illegally. Once in the United States, they go to different cities and states, soliciting construction work, according to court documents.

The conmen often hire day laborers. They lack work authorization documents and permits, and do low-quality, unnecessary, or incomplete work. And sometimes they damage homes, authorities said.

O’Brien appeared before US District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan on Thursday. Sullivan appointed an attorney to represent him, ordered him detained, and scheduled a status conference/preliminary hearing for April 11.

Precautions recommended to consumers:

The US Attorney’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations recommend consumers take steps to avoid being defrauded:

Be cautious with unsolicited solicitations from contractors who show up at your door saying they noticed a problem that needs to be fixed.
Don’t fall victim to high pressure scare tactics. Proceed cautiously before you commit to work, and only after getting at least one second opinion and cost estimate.
Before hiring any contractor for a large job, make sure they have a legitimate business address and consider going there to verify that the business exists.
Verify that the contractor is licensed before agreeing to have any work started. In Rhode Island, go to the Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board website. In Massachusetts, go to the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation website.
Ensure the contractor obtains permits to do the work from your local city or town before work begins. Ask to see the permit and verify its authenticity with your city or town.
Don’t leave new or unfamiliar contractors alone at your house – even if they’re working outside. They sometimes intentionally cause damage. Keep a close eye on work being done.
If you or someone you know believes they’re victims of the traveling conman fraud scheme, contact Homeland Security Investigations via email at HSINewEnglandVictimAssistance@hsi.dhs.gov.

Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at edward.fitzpatrick@globe.com. Follow him @FitzProv.

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Rhode Island

This Local Restaurant in Rhode Island Is So Good, You Can Plan an Entire Day Around It

Published

1 hour ago

April 3, 2026

Press Room

This Local Restaurant in Rhode Island Is So Good, You Can Plan an Entire Day Around It

One of my favorite things to do on any trip, no matter the destination, is to stop at every point of interest along the way. It doesn’t matter if it’s a kitschy roadside attraction, a natural wonder, or a diner – I will stop. Growing up in northern Rhode Island, I’ve been to just about every corner of my tiny home state and, yet, always seemed to discover something new-to-me on every outing. While most Ocean State road trips are short (it is the smallest state in the country, after all!), there’s still so much to discover, including one off-the-beaten-path diner in Foster. Let’s discover one of the best road trip stops in Rhode Island you probably never heard of – Shady Acres Diner and Apocalypse Cafe.

Why This Stop Is Worth the Detour

If you’re looking for a classic American diner experience right here in the Ocean State, look no further than Shady Acres Diner and Apocalypse Cafe. Located on Danielson Pike, a scenic, rural stretch of Route 6, less than two miles from the Connecticut border, you probably never knew this place existed unless you were driving through Foster on your way to or from Connecticut. But road trippers who have stopped here rave about the menu, friendly service, and the eclectic decor.

Let’s first talk about the menu. While there are some “typical diner” menu items, such as omelets, French toast, and eggs Benedict for breakfast, and chicken tenders, BLT club sandwiches, and burgers for lunch and dinner, there are some elevated and creative takes on diner cuisine. For example, in addition to a standard selection of diner favorites, there’s a Monte Cristo breakfast sandwich of egg, ham, and Swiss cheese between two pieces of French toast, as well as several breakfast bowls with scrambled eggs, home fries, and a variety of toppings.

an open-face burger topped with onion rings at shady acres in foster rhode island

For creative lunch and dinner options, how about the Big Kahuna Tuna sandwich made with ahi tuna, greens, and chipotle mayo? Regular customers rave about it! There’s also a falafel plate, perfect for sharing, and a fried pickle burger topped with queso and house-made fried pickles. But one of the most talked-about menu items at Shady Acres Diner is the polenta fries. Growing up in the Ocean State, I had my fair share of polenta dishes, but I never had polenta fries – looks like I’ll need to make a stop here to try this standout appetizer.

Shady Acres is open Wednesday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Plan your road trip to this Rhode Island diner accordingly!

Nearby Road Trip Attractions

jerimoth hill, a rocky geological feature, and the highest point in the state of rhode island

Foster may be a small, rural Rhode Island town, but there are a few notable sites you may want to discover while here. First of all, did you know that Foster is home to Rhode Island’s highest point? Located off Route 101 close to the Connecticut border, Jerimoth Hill sits at an elevation of 812 feet and is open from dawn until dusk daily if you’re curious to see it yourself. A short 0.3-mile trail leads to the point, which is surrounded by trees.

If you love visiting historic sites, take some time to visit the Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge. Built in the mid-1990s, yet evoking the charm of a historic 19th-century covered bridge, it’s the only covered bridge in Rhode Island.

Open seasonally on weekends starting in May, Nickle Creek Vineyard is a small, family-owned vineyard and winery with a tasting room. Reservations are not required to visit, and guests are welcome to stroll the grounds and bring a picnic to enjoy while sipping Nickle Creek wines. (Please note that those under 21 are not allowed on the property.)

Best Road Trip Stops in Rhode Island

Shady Acres Diner may be off the beaten path, but it’s absolutely worth it for its hearty dishes that will satisfy any hungry road tripper. Have you taken a detour or gone out of your way to have a meal at this family-friendly diner, one of the most unexpected places in Rhode Island? For a menu and location information, visit the Shady Acres Diner website, and check out the Facebook page for dinner specials.

What are some unexpected places in Rhode Island you would suggest road trippers visit? Please tell us why they are worth a stop when you fill out our nomination form. You can discover more exciting off-the-beaten-path destinations in Rhode Island when you use Only In Your State’s Travel Planner.

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Rhode Island

Release of rescued bobcats by the Wildlife Clinic of Rhode Island

Published

13 hours ago

April 3, 2026

Press Room

Release of rescued bobcats by the Wildlife Clinic of Rhode Island

The Wildlife Clinic of Rhode Island rehabilitated two orphaned kitten bobcats starting last July and continuing through Monday, March 30, when the bobcats were released into the wild. Video from the Wildlife Clinic of Rhode Island and URI’s Quest Lab.

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