New York – 8 Charged With Defrauding Food Stamp Program Of Millions

New York – Eight people have been charged with defrauding the federal Food Stamp Program of almost $8 million as part of an investigation code-named “Operation Fraud Stamp.”

The eight people charged are either owners or employees of six different grocery stores in Manhattan, the Bronx and Westchester County. They are accused of exchanging food stamp benefits for cash while keeping a portion of the cash for themselves in violation of the rules of the program, said prosecutors.

In each case, the analysis indicated a high likelihood of fraud. Confidential informants, using audio and video recording devices, then confirmed the fraud by exchanging food stamp benefits for cash on several occasions at each store. [wnbc]