Buffalo Man Sentenced For Food Stamp Fraud

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.- Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Ali Mohamed, 44, of Buffalo NY, who was convicted of unauthorized use of food stamp benefits, was sentenced to time served by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Lamarque, who handled the case, stated that the defendant worked at Bailey Food Mart located at 3209 Bailey Avenue in Buffalo.  Between July 2010 and August 2011, Alawdi and others knowingly purchased food stamp benefits for less than their full value for cash from eligible beneficiaries. Retailers are prohibited from exchanging cash for food stamps.  During this time, the defendant and others exchanged approximately $124,406 of food stamp benefits for cash.

The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge William G. Squires Jr.; and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James C. Spero.