Food stamp fraud

[Chris]

I saw this story on CNN about food stamp fraud by merchants in Florida.

Fort Myers, Naples store owners arrested during fraud sweep

Two local store owners are among 21 people charged by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement during a 10-week statewide operation to combat public assistance fraud.

During the operation, FDLE agents visited convenience stores, grocery stores and gas stations and used food stamp benefits on undercover EBT cards to get cash and other items not eligible for purchase. The clerks rang up the transactions as a food stamp purchase, but then kicked back some cash to the agents and themselves, according to the agency.

http://www.news-press.com/article/20100318/CRIME/100318041/1075/Fort-Myers--Naples-store-owners-arrested-during-fraud-sweep

I went to Google to find a link to that story and found this:

DHS worker charged with welfare fraud in Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) - A Department of Human Services employee has been arrested and charged with welfare fraud.

Grand Rapids police arrested Norma Carter last week. On Friday, she was charged with a felony over $500.00

Investigators believe Carter authorized Food stamps for an acquaintance. WZZM 13 News learned that it may have been her ex-boyfriend. That man's family says he thought it was all legal. His sister, LaJeune Jackson says, "She fraudulently got my brother food stamps, so she could have food in her house for her and her two kids."

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=119494&catid=14

Suspect arrested three years after taking food stamp card

FORT WALTON BEACH -- A Fort Walton Beach woman was arrested March 5, more than three years after taking and using someone else's food stamp card, according to her Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office arrest report.

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/crosby-26774-purse-stamp.html

City: Woman a bogus beneficiary

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A New Brighton woman bilked Medicaid of more than $3,000 and wrongly received food stamps valued at $26,000, authorities said.

http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/03/city_woman_a_bogus_beneficiary.html

7 Accused In Medicaid, Food Stamp Fraud

NASSAU COUNTY—Seven people have been charged with stealing more than $252,000 in undeserved Medicaid benefits and food stamps by underreporting their income and failing to disclose millions of dollars worth of rental properties and businesses under their ownership.

http://www.northcountrygazette.org/2010/03/07/7-accused-in-medicaid-food-stamp-fraud/

Woman arrested for fraud

Sheriff's deputies say Shannon Overton of Greig received more than $11,000 in payments from the Lewis County Department of Social Services for public assistance, Medicaid and food stamps. She has been charged with eight felony counts and seven misdemeanors.

http://centralny.ynn.com/content/top_stories/497561/woman-arrested-for-fraud

That was just the first page.

[franksolich]

Remember, Chris, that one story a couple of years ago, about a house (in Memphis, I think) that burned down because two very young boys were left alone, and played with matches?

Both boys, if I recall correctly, were burned to death.

When mama and auntie showed up at the conflagration, auntie was all concerned because the firemen wouldn't let her inside the burning house to get her food stamp card.

[Chris]

I do remember that; it was posted here at the time.

Disgusting.

[thundley4]

Young, unemployed and hip, some food stamp users opt for upscale choices at the market

Fresh rabbit, wild-caught fish and organic vegetables might sound like items on the shopping list of an upscale cook planning an over-the-top dinner party. But some food stamp users are opting for such choice items these days, along with fresh herbs, triple-creme cheese and raw honey, according to a Salon.com report.

The changing preferences in food choices bought with food stamps reflect the influx of young singles around the country who are now eligible for help buying with their groceries, says Salon.com.

As part of last year’s stimulus package, recent changes in the food stamp program have made it easier for able-bodied adults without kids to collect food stamps.

"There are many 20-somethings from educated families who go through a period of unemployment and live very frugally, maybe even technically in poverty, who now qualify," said Tufts University food economist Parke Wilde, who has written a lot about food stamp use and policy, according to Salon.com.

Cities that draw creative types and young professionals in their 20s and 30s tend to have food markets that offer items such as grass-fed beef, gourmet ice cream and artisanal bread. And food stamp purchases have doubled in the past year at some stores in upscale areas that sell gourmet food products.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/food/2010/03/17/2010-03-17_young_unemployed_and_hip_these_food_stamp_users_opt_for_upscale_choices_at_the_m.html#ixzz0iXuDm6KF

[Eupher]

**** 'em. Give 'em Velveeta and saltines.

**** the stimulus. Repeatedly. 

[The Village Idiot]

7 Accused In Medicaid, Food Stamp Fraud

NASSAU COUNTY—Seven people have been charged with stealing more than $252,000 in undeserved Medicaid benefits and food stamps by underreporting their income and failing to disclose millions of dollars worth of rental properties and businesses under their ownership.

Greedy rich people??

[JohnnyReb]

Fraud has been a major part of foodstamps ever since it first started....the only solution is to eliminate the foodstamp program.