Dominican National Charged with Healthcare Fraud in Massachusetts
Santo Escolastico Cuello faces charges including aggravated identity theft using a stolen U.S. citizen's identity.
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A Dominican national residing in Worcester, Massachusetts, has been indicted on charges of healthcare benefit fraud and aggravated identity theft. Santo Escolastico Cuello, 56, faces three counts of making false statements relating to health care matters and one count of aggravated identity theft, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Cuello was initially charged by criminal complaint in June 2026, and his arraignment will be scheduled at a later date. The charges stem from allegations that Cuello used the stolen identity of a U. S.
citizen, including the individual's social security number, to obtain government benefits unlawfully. Prosecutors allege that Cuello falsely represented himself as a U. S.
citizen when applying for healthcare benefits in Massachusetts, submitting a sworn affidavit to that effect.
The indictment claims that Cuello fraudulently obtained approximately $162,180 in MassHealth benefits using the stolen identity. Furthermore, Cuello allegedly identified himself to law enforcement as the individual whose identity he had stolen during prior arrests.
Legal Consequences
The charge of making false statements relating to a health care program carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft mandates a two-year sentence, which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, along with one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Cuello is also subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed.
Sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge, guided by the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
Government Response
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley, along with Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England, and Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.
S. Attorney Colin T. Missett of the Health Care Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
In response to widespread fraud in Massachusetts, U. S. Attorney Leah B.
Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team on March 26, 2026. This initiative aims to address the increasing instances of fraud being uncovered across the state. The public is encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1.
Additionally, the Department of Justice announced the establishment of the National Fraud Enforcement Division on April 7, 2026. This division is tasked with investigating and prosecuting fraud against the American people, supporting the President's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance.
The charges against Cuello are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Charges and allegations are not proof of guilt. Anyone charged is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
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