Deli Shop Worker Sentenced For Food Stamp Fraud

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

Buffalo, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr., announced today that Nasser Ali Ghanem, 34 of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of unauthorized acquisition of food stamp benefits, was sentenced to 10 months in prison by U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny. The defendant was ordered to pay $67,139.00 in restitution to the United States Department of Agriculture.

                Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo, who handled the case, stated that the defendant participated in the operation of a deli shop known as Hollywood Nights Prime Shop on Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo. From October 2008 through January 2011, Ghanem purchased food stamp benefits from food stamp recipients for cash at less than their full value. The total loss amount to the United States Department of Agriculture is estimated at $67,139.00.

                The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of William G. Squires Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Northeast Region.