Fatal Crash Uncovers $3.4 Million Theft from UMass Medical School

When Leo Villani, 54, of 149 Glendale St., Uxbridge, MA, died from his injuries days after Woonsocket Police charged him with DUI in January, the only harm attributed to his actions was a fallen tree. 

But the Boston Globe reports Villani allegedly embezzled $3.4 million in Medicaid payments to fuel a lavish lifestyle unexamined until his death. Villani, who worked for University of Massachusetts Medical School as a financial analyst, allegedly moved Medicaid payment checks to a dummy corporation. Officials were alerted to the theft by a co-worker after Villani died.

The school has dismissed a supervisor, disciplined several workers and called in an outside auditor following the discovery of the theft.

Woonsocket Police were dispatched to the area of 564 South Main St. Dec. 28 at about 12:55 a.m., finding Villani's black Ford pickup with its front end resting against a fallen tree. Villani was charged with DUI and transported to Rhode Island Hospital. He died there Jan. 6, at 6:45 a.m.