Authorities are accusing the owner of a Minneapolis grocery store of trafficking more than $1 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minnesota state prosecutors charged Abdiwahid Mohamed, 60, with one count of card fraud for trafficking in benefits meant for low-income families.
Red fraud stamp marking a stack of one hundred dollar bills, highlighting the serious implications of financial crime and corruption
Investigators accuse Mohamed, the owner of Minnesota Food Grocery LLC, of trafficking more than $1.1 million in SNAP benefits by using other people’s EBT cards, according to Fox 9. He is accused of using other people’s government-issued cards to purchase food-related items at other stores and resell them at his store, Fox 9 reports. The grocery store is located near West Lake Street in Minneapolis.
According to KSTP News, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office said charges were filed May 4.
A court appearance is scheduled for May 27 at Hennepin County District Court.
If convicted, Mohamed faces up to 20 years in prison or a $100,000 fine, Fox 9 reports.
Agents continue to look into fraud at other businesses in Minnesota.
In addition to SNAP fraud, the state, according to the Minnesota Reformer, is auditing around $18 billion in state-run Medicaid programs. On April 28, Federal agents searched about 20 Minneapolis child care centers in search of fraud.
This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Minneapolis grocer allegedly used $1M in other people’s SNAP benefits
