New Orleans Area Merchant Sentenced for Food Stamp Fraud

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that HENRIETTA KAMBI, age 59, of New Orleans, was sentenced after previously pleading guilty to Food Stamp Fraud for receiving approximately $132,768 from the United State Department of Agriculture based upon food stamp benefits through her store, CTN Grocery, located in New Orleans, that were not authorized.

U.S. District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman sentenced KAMBI to three years probation and restitution in the amount of $132,768.

According to court documents, grocery retailers who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a federal government program formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, may only accept and redeem food stamp benefits in exchange for the sale of eligible food items.  Retailers may not exchange food stamp benefits for cash or any other ineligible items of value such as tobacco products or alcoholic beverages. Store owner KAMBI knowingly presented for payment and redemption SNAP benefits which had been purchased in exchange for cash money and ineligible items through her store.