Erie Man Sentenced for Role in Food Stamp Fraud Scheme Carried Out at Erie Convenience Store

ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to two years probation and ordered to make $23,051 in restitution on his conviction of conspiracy to defraud the United States, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Dhia Almaleki, 47.

According to information presented to the court, Dhia Almaleki and three co-defendants were engaged in exchanging food stamps for cash on a regular basis at The Lotto World, also known as Samir’s and Lotto World Convenience, a convenience store located at 832 State Street in Erie. The four defendants also allowed customers to pay off store credit with food stamps.

Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Brady commended the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and the Erie Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Almaleki.