Boston Man Arraigned on Charges of Filing False 2M Claim With One Fund

(NECN: Scot Yount, Boston, Mass.) "He essentially tried to take millions of dollars away from people who suffered life altering injuries," said Assistant Attorney General Gina Masotta.

Branden Mattier, an aspiring rapper with a big online presence on YouTube and Instagram, is accused of attempting to steal more than $2 million from the One Fund, which started after the tragic Boston Marathon Bombings.

"Claiming that his aunt was a victim of the bombing attacks, when in fact that aunt has been dead for more than a decade," Masotta told the court.

Mattier apparently posted lots of pictures of his One Fund journey, including a shot of himself and Kenneth Feinberg, who oversees the fund.

Mattier was arrested after receiving a bogus check delivered by an undercover State Police Officer.

Mattier allegedly sent in a claim that was filed along with allegedly forged hospital emergency room documents. He claimed his aunt had lost both legs after apparently learning that victims were receiving more money if they were double amputees.

She died in 2000.

Of course, the defendant is innocent until proven guilty, but anyone who's accused of doing something like trying to rob the One Fund definitely angers the city's mayor.

"I am so disgusted by that individual, he tried to forge a claim for double amputee, who is dead for ten years. I want to thank the staff of the One Fund for finding it and also the Attorney General for bringing action against the individual," said Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.

"It's clear that people are angry about this case, it has gotten a lot of attention, the allegations are taking advantage of heart wrenching situation," Defense Attorney Claudia Lagos told the judge.

Mattier's defense team argued that he be released on his own recognizance.

"In my limited interaction with Mr. Mattier, I find that he has every intention of being here for every single court date. He wants to fight this case and he wants to tell his story," Lagos told the court.

He will get that chance, but will remain in jail for now.

Mattier is being held on $30,000 cash bail. If he makes bail, he must surrender his passport and wear a GPS monitoring device.

He is due back in court on August 2 for a probable cause hearing.

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