Ruth Nivar, Hobbs Act Extortion, Washington 2025

Ruth Nivar, a 57-year-old former D.C. government employee, has been exposed for her brazen scheme to extort money from low-income individuals in exchange for processing their public assistance applications. Nivar, who should have been working for free, used her position to prey on vulnerable, non-English speaking individuals who lacked the resources to navigate the complex process of obtaining health care coverage from the government.

According to court documents, Nivar’s scheme began in at least 2018 and continued through May 2023. She used her authority to obtain money from applicants to which she was not entitled. Nivar’s accomplice, Yessica Moya, created online accounts and submitted application materials for health care coverage on behalf of the individuals they extorted. Nivar told individuals to pay Moya, who would then split the monies evenly with Nivar. This despicable act is a betrayal of the public trust and a shameful abuse of power.

As part of her scheme, Nivar provided Moya with information about eligibility requirements for applicants, as well as information about applicants from the internal DHS database. This information included historical benefits information, status of benefits, identity verification, and dependent information. It is appalling that Nivar would use her position to exploit vulnerable individuals in this way.

In 2022, after Nivar understood that law enforcement may have become aware of her scheme, she added Moya to assist in the extortion scheme. This was a brazen attempt to cover her tracks and continue her deceitful activities undetected.

Nivar pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act extortion under color of official right and to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act extortion under color of official right. She was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison and 12 months of supervised release. Her accomplice, Yessica Moya, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting Hobbs Act extortion under color of official right and to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act extortion under color of official right. Her sentencing hearing is pending.

This case highlights the need for vigilant oversight and accountability in government agencies. The public deserves to know that their tax dollars are being used to support honest and hardworking public servants, not corrupt individuals like Ruth Nivar.

The case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office and D.C. Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Madhu Chugh and Will Hart of the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section.

Related Federal Cases