New Jersey Grocer Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for $1.2 Million Food Stamps Scheme

A New Jersey grocery store owner was sentenced to two years in prison for stealing $1.2 million in a food stamp scheme.

Kaher Abdullah, 58, of Philadelphia pleaded guilty in May for the theft of government funds, which included trading food stamp benefits for cash, NJ.com reported.

Abdullah owned the Express Food Mart located in Camden, New Jersey, which accepted food stamp benefits, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Abdullah allowed those who had benefits to trade them in for cash instead of food for 50 cents on the dollar, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Authorities said he received $1.2 million from those exchanges between November 2011 and October 2014 and paid for personal expenses with the funds.

Abdullah accepted an offer from an undercover officer to exchange $99.99 in Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program benefits for 50 cents on the dollar, prosecutors said.

Authorities say he must repay the full amount.

A U.S. District Court judge said that Abdullah must participate in three years of supervised release after his prison term ends.

Just a few weeks ago, a Wisconsin woman and her son were indicted on charges related to food stamp fraud. Last month, an Ohio millionaire’s home was raided for allegedly collecting food stamps while he had millions in the bank, and a New York deli owner was arraigned on charges of food stamps fraud and burglary.