Man Pleads Guilty to $1M Food Stamp Fraud Scheme

A Providence, Rhode Island, convenience store owner has pleaded guilty to $1.1 million in food stamp fraud.

Sami Almuhtaseb, of Smithfield, pleaded guilty on Friday in U.S. District Court in Providence to conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering.

Prosecutors say the Oasis Market redeemed more than $2.7 million in benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program between November 2009 and December 2015. More than 72 percent of the transactions were for more than $50, even though federal officials say legitimate food stamp transactions at a convenience store rarely exceed more than $50.

Federal authorities say at least $1.1 million were the result of fraudulent transactions.

His sentencing is scheduled for July.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us