XPost: alt.fraud, pa.politics, alt.politics.republicans   
   XPost: alt.fan.rush-limbaugh, sac.politics   
   From: jdutton@uicu.edu   
      
   Seven people are facing charges after Pennsylvania authorities said they   
   busted a "major" SNAP trafficking operation.   
      
   The Pennsylvania Office of State Inspector General said the   
   "sophisticated" operation stole more than $775,000 in Supplemental   
   Nutrition Assistance Program benefits over the span of three years.   
      
   Authorities said the investigation centered around the Quick Stop   
   Convenience Store in Steelton, Dauphin County, where the owner and   
   employees would process benefits in exchange for cash.   
      
   In SNAP trafficking schemes, stores exchange public benefits for cash at   
   a fraction of the value, meaning stores profit without providing food,   
   and recipients get cash to use for whatever they want. For example, in a   
   scheme like this, a store will process a $200 transaction and give $100   
   in cash, pocketing the profit.   
      
   "By using sophisticated methods to defraud the SNAP program, these   
   defendants not only stole from taxpayers but also exploited individuals   
   in need. Pennsylvania does not tolerate public assistance fraud: we   
   investigate it, we prosecute it, and we will continue holding   
   accountable those who abuse these life-saving programs," Pennsylvania   
   Inspector General Michelle Henry said in a press release.   
      
   The Steelton Quick Stop Convenience Store owner, Solanyi Ramos, was   
   charged, along with employees Rafael Jermaine Powell, Wilson Javier   
   Garcia Matteo and Beatriz Rosario Acosta. SNAP recipients Shawn   
   Van-Jeffrey McCoy, Dorothy A. Wilson and Shariah Denise Kiser were also   
   charged, the state inspector general's office said.   
      
   If convicted, they may be ordered to pay restitution for the stolen   
   public benefits.   
      
   Authorities said the multi-year investigation required "extensive   
   collaboration" between multiple agencies.   
      
   https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/pennsylvania-snap-trafficking-ope   
   ration/?intcid=CNR-02-0623   
      
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