Here is news of a food stamp fraud bust in Arizona with 18 arrests in the case! There are no Mohammeds named (so far) and surprise, surprise we have one American name—Baker. Long time readers know that I’ve joked that those involved in these big-money busts never seem to have good old-fashioned American names!
Just two days ago we had a bust with a twist—the Muslims were selling guns for food stamps, here ! There is a bit of information at that post about refugees and food stamps too.
From My Fox Phoenix:
PHOENIX – A 15-month, multi-agency operation has uncovered a scam that has defrauded the food stamp program of more than $700,000.
Thursday, search warrants and indictments were handed down to individuals and retailers involved in defrauding the federal food stamp program.
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer stated, “We know that most recipients of public benefits play by the rules, but today’s bust proves once again that some do not. With anti-fraud efforts at DES and collaboration with state, local and federal authorities, we will continue to weed out the scammers and schemers who abuse our public trust.”
The federal food stamp program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides qualifying low-income families the ability to purchase food items with EBT cards.
Through an undercover operation, authorities determined that some retailers were participating in the illegal redemption of benefits. They were paying EBT cardholders in cash for half of the value of their food stamp benefits, then pocketing the remainder.
So far, 18 people have been indicted, and search warrants were executed at four locations Thursday — three in Phoenix and one in Mesa. The suspects are charged with counts including: unlawful use of food stamps; unlawful use of a credit card; fraudulent schemes and artifices; illegal control of an enterprise and asset forfeiture.
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office is prosecuting. Some of those indicted have not yet been taken into custody.
Here are the names released so far:
Zine Abidine Douh El Idrissi, 47
Guadalupe Gamez-Moreno, 23
Alejandro Moreno Torrs, 36
Elias Hernandez-Carreno, 32
Maria Cruz Becerra, 20
Elicia Baker, 59
Brandon Nguyen, 43
Sarhad Kasmarogi, 44
Hilal Oraha Haio, 40
In the pre-political correctness days some enterprising reporter would be investigating this WIDESPREAD immigrant food stamp fraud in hopes of winning a Pulitzer. I’m still waiting for that investigator who will only need to type ‘food stamp fraud’ into our search function and will find dozens of locations across the country to build his or her case.