Mass. Man Charged With $2-Million Marathon-Fund Fraud Scheme

A Boston man is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday on allegations that he attempted to swindle $2.2-million from the main fund benefiting victims of April’s marathon bombings by claiming a relative had been maimed in the attack, writes The Boston Globe.

Branden Mattier, 22, will be charged with attempted larceny and identity theft and faces up to five years in prison if convicted.

Authorities said Mr. Mattier filed a claim with One Fund Boston last month on behalf of an aunt he said had lost a leg, but his documentation aroused suspicion, and the aunt’s name was not on the fund’s list of amputees. The fund told Mr. Mattier his claim had been approved and he was arrested Tuesday after accepting a phony check for the $2.2-million.