DMV Worker, State Trooper Charged In Bribery, ID Fraud Case

Attorney General Michael Delaney said Donna Rockholt, 47, a worker at the DMV, was paid to provide driver's licenses for people who presented false identification. Among those who received driver's licenses were people charged with illegally entering the country.

"What the investigation revealed is these individuals came to the Department of Motor Vehicles, and it would be arranged that they would go to see Ms. Rockholt," said Assistant Attorney General Jane Young. "She would provide them with temporary New Hampshire licenses. These individuals were, for the most part, illegal aliens who had either stolen or fraudulent documents."

During Rockholt's arraignment on Thursday, Young said she may have issued about 70 fake licenses over the years and was paid $500 for each license she issued, meaning she might have made $35,000.  

Investigators also said state Trooper Fred Stamatatos was paid to provide salvage inspection stickers to Adalberto Medina for vehicles that weren't inspected in accordance with state law. Medina was also charged with bribing Rockholt.

The investigation was initiated by the Department of Safety, which received a tip. Commissioner John Barthelmes said his department is working to maintain the integrity of the DMV's license and registration system.

"Systems are in place to identify fraudulent activities, and when detected, we are prepared to pursue criminal investigations against any state employee who violates their official duties and the public's trust in furtherance of criminal activity," he said. "The public has an expectation that the employees that work for them in state government maintain the highest levels of integrity."

Rockholt, of Manchester, was charged with three felony counts of bribery in official and political matters, three counts of official oppression and three counts of unsworn falsification.

Medina, 39, of Manchester, was charged with four counts of bribery in official and political matters.

Stamatatos, 40, of Pelham, was charged with bribery in official and political matters, six counts of unsworn falsification and three counts of official oppression. He and Medina were scheduled to be arraigned Thursday afternoon.  

Four other people were arrested in Massachusetts on fraud-related charges, including misuse of identity documents and fraudulent use of a Social Security number.

One of the four arrested is an illegal immigrant who tried to obtain a U.S. passport. Investigators said it's possible that some false identifications in this operation were sold to others like him.

"That's obviously an issue, not just of fraud, but of national security implications," New Hampshire U.S. Attorney John Kacavas said.

It still isn't clear how many fake identifications were produced in this scheme. The state will void all of the identifications, but most are still in circulation.  

"There is an intensive and ongoing investigation at the federal and state level to do everything we can to pursue not only the state officials responsible for this conduct, but any individuals that may have received fraudulent paperwork," Delaney said.

Police said the investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are expected.