United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

NEW HAVEN STORE OWNER ADMITS DEFRAUDING FEDERAL FOOD STAMP PROGRAM OF MORE THAN $328,000

Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MANILAL JOITARAM PATEL, 57, of Hamden, pleaded guilty today before Senior United States District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to one count of food stamp fraud.

According to court documents and statements made in court, PATEL owned and operated Sadavi Mini Mart, located at 34-C Cinque Green in New Haven.  In October 2005, Sadavi Mini Mart began to participate in the Federal Food Stamp Program (“FSP”), which is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture.  Most edible items, or “staple foods,” are eligible for purchase with FSP benefits.  Items such as beer, cigarettes, paper goods, and soaps are not eligible for purchase with food stamp benefits, and it is a violation of the rules and regulations governing the FSP to allow FSP benefits to be used to purchase ineligible items.  FSP benefits may not lawfully be exchanged for cash under any circumstances.

Beginning in December 2007, an individual working with USDA investigators visited Sadavi Mini Mart on seven separate occasions and exchanged food stamp benefits valued at approximately $1355 in exchange for approximately $708 in cash, and a combination of eligible and ineligible items including cigarettes and a prepaid telephone card.

The parties have agreed that, between June 2007 and May 2008, PATEL and Sadavi Mini Mart defrauded the Federal Food Stamp Program of $328,525.19 by accepting FSP benefits in exchange for cash or ineligible items.

Judge Covello has scheduled sentencing for January 27, 2010, at which time PATEL faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This case was investigated by the Department of Agriculture, Office of the Inspector General.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah P. Karwan.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov