Tiny bodega does $3 M plus in EBT fraud

[Monello]

1 small store with many customers ripping off the tax payers. Imagine how many EBT card holders it took to reach $3 million. That's a lot of fraud. Time to crack down and give these people boxes of food instead of something redeemable for cash.

On Sept. 23, a Newark man admitted his role in exchanging $3.49 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for cash, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Juan Perdomo, 60, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of SNAP fraud, one count of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from SNAP fraud, and one count of aiding in the preparation of a materially false tax return.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, from October 2015 to September 2018, Perdomo ran M&R Supermarket, a business that was authorized to accept benefits provided by SNAP, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Retail food stores approved for participation may sell food in exchange for SNAP benefits, but may not exchange SNAP benefits for cash.

Law enforcement agents verified the fraudulent exchange of SNAP benefits for cash through the use of an undercover law enforcement agent who engaged in 11 “purchases” at M&R Supermarket, where Juan Perdomo and his son, Jose Perdomo.

The count of SNAP benefit fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss. The count of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction. The count aiding in the preparation of false tax return carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2020.fraud

now go after the sellers of the stamps

 

[Hijinx]

Whats funny is that his greed got him caught.
If he had settled for a Million he probably wouldn't have gotten caught.


I am glad not to be on his jury, if they find him guilty the jury will be accused of being racist.

 

[limblips]

1 small store with many customers ripping off the tax payers. Imagine how many EBT card holders it took to reach $3 million. That's a lot of fraud. Time to crack down and give these people boxes of food instead of something redeemable for cash.

/QUOTE]

As it was in the 60's. People were provided good food based on their need. But the libs decided it was degrading for the people to get food in plain brown boxes labeled USDA.

 

[PrchJrkr]

I believe a little "degradation" may go a long way towards helping those receiving SNAP benefits to become more self sufficient. It won't cure all the problems with the system because some "people" just can't be helped, as in, they have no conscience.

When I was in my early 20s and striving to become an adult, I had a room mate that lost his job and couldn't come up with his share of the rent. He applied for and received assistance through the state in the form of food staples. I remember fondly concocting meal menus around the white rice and government cheese he received. We all grew up and out of that chapter of our lives and went on to secure careers and become the ones paying taxes to support these programs.

When I see someone today whip out the old Independence card and pay for food that I can't afford then hop into an Escalade with bling wheels, my blood boils. Although I'm definitely not for more government, this is one area that I'd like to see an expansion. Build one or two warehouse style food distribution centers, depending on population of participants, and give vouchers to those in need. Anyone utilizing these centers will be there for the same reason as everyone else, so the stigmatization is nil.

If you want to drive a supersized SUV, go for it, but don't do it in front of me while loading it up with groceries with little to no nutritional value. Drive it down to the distribution center and get your canned vegetables, flour, rice, cheese, peanut butter, bread, and ground chicken. Learn to ****ing cook and eat healthy, so you don't block out the sun while waiting in line to pay for your frozen junk food and flaming hot Cheetos.

 

[Hijinx]

Really hungry people are not embarrassed by getting food in a brown box marked USDA.

The United States has the richest poor people of anywhere on the planet.