Erie Market Owner Charged with Food Stamp and WIC Program Fraud

ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on charges of theft of government property, food stamp fraud and WIC program fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The three-count Indictment named Kadhim A. Muhsin, 57, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment presented to the court, from in and around January 2015 to in and around December 2018, Muhsin, who is the owner and operator of New Sara’s Market in Erie, committed food stamp and WIC fraud by accepting food stamps and WIC checks for cash, store credit, and ineligible items.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Paul S. Sellers is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.