Peter Mancini and Hannah Vanalstyne Indicted for Unemployment Fraud

Concord, NH - Attorney General John M. Formella and Department of Employment Security Commissioner Richard J. Lavers announce that the Grafton County Grand Jury has returned indictments against Peter Mancini, age 47, and Hannah Vanalstyne, age 41, in connection with alleged unemployment compensation fraud. The indictments charge Mancini with Unemployment Compensation Fraud and Theft by Deception (class A Felonies), and they charge Vanalstyne with Unemployment Compensation Fraud and Theft by Receiving Stolen Property (class A Felonies).

According to the indictments, from October 2025 to February 2026 Mancini allegedly submitted false unemployment claims to the New Hampshire Department of Employment Security. The indictments allege that he falsely represented that an offer of employment was rescinded through no fault of his own. The indictments further allege that between January 2026 and February 2026 Mancini and Vanalstyne acted in concert to represent that Mancini performed work searches and/or was available and able to work without restrictions, omitting that Mancini was incarcerated. As a result, Mancini allegedly received more than $11,000 in unemployment compensation, including over $2,000 after he was incarcerated on January 6, 2026.

Mancini and Vanalstyne are scheduled to be arraigned on June 8, 2026, in Grafton County Superior Court. Each class A felony offense is punishable by up to 7 ½ to 15 years in state prison, a fine, or both.

The investigation was conducted by the Department of Employment Security's Benefit Payment Control Unit. The Department provides unemployment benefits to eligible individuals who are unemployed through no fault of their own and investigates allegations of fraud to protect New Hampshire's unemployment trust fund. Investigations include matching programs to detect potential fraud when prison/jail inmates may file false claims against the trust fund. The New Hampshire Department of Employment Security receives program funding and grant awards from the U.S. Department of Labor.

To report possible unemployment fraud, call (603) 228-4019, or email the Department of Employment Security at [email protected].

The charges and allegations against Mr. Mancini and Ms. Vanalstyne are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.