Politics
Ohio indictment accuses Michael Perik of involvement in alleged $20 million college theft
An Ohio grand jury indicted Michael Perik, the husband of Rhode Island Democratic Party Chair Liz Beretta-Perik, on 24 charges tied to an alleged $20 million theft from the now-closed Eastern Gateway Community College. The charges are allegations, not findings of guilt.
Michael Perik, husband of Rhode Island Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth “Liz” Beretta-Perik, was indicted by an Ohio grand jury on 24 charges in a case alleging that $20 million was stolen from Eastern Gateway Community College, which has since shut down.
The indictment, reported Oct. 19, 2026, includes racketeering and fraud charges, according to the available case details. The allegations concern the college in Ohio; the information available does not describe the individual counts or specify how prosecutors say the money was taken.
An indictment is a formal accusation, and the charges against Perik have not been proven in court. His connection to Rhode Island’s Democratic Party chair does not, by itself, indicate any involvement by the party.