Targeted both RI and Massachusetts Homeowners
PROVIDENCE — An Irish national who was living unlawfully in the United States has pleaded guilty in federal court in Rhode Island in connection with a scheme that defrauded homeowners in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, according to Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.
According to court documents, John O’Brien, 28, and co-conspirators induced homeowners to pay for home repairs that were unnecessary and often not completed. These included falsely claimed structural problems, overstated repair needs, and misrepresentation as to the need for the repairs and services, as well as the qualifications of his purported construction companies, including Traditional Masonry & Construction.
In total, Investigators estimate that the scheme defrauded homeowners of more than $1.5 million.
O’Brien pleaded guilty on December 10, 2025, to wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 11, 2026. The sentence will be determined by a federal district judge after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Prosecution and Investigation
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Taylor A. Dean and Sandra R. Hebert.
The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Warwick and East Providence Police Departments.
