A food-stamp investigation was initially launched three months ago when a shoplifter was caught stealing steaks from the Gardendale, Alabama, Walmart. When investigators reported the scheme to Walmart, they learned that the corporation was already looking into EBT fraud at two convenience store locations where the apprehended shoplifter was selling the goods.
Named “Operation T-Bone,” the sting was carried out simultaneously across Jefferson County on Wednesday. The officers and agents were armed with more than 242 arrest warrants with plans to arrest at least 17. The task force got what they were after — all 17 suspects were in custody by mid-morning. Investigators filed for forfeiture and condemnation of 11 stores, totaling more than $1 million in assets.
According to a report by Carol Robinson at AL.com, the 17 that were arrested were buying EBT, or food stamp, cards at 50 cents on the dollar. The scheme worked as follows, if a card was loaded with $100, the perpetrator would buy it for $50 cash, then use that card to buy food in bulk to be sold at convenience stores in neighborhoods without grocery stores.
Jefferson County DA Brandon Falls alleges that at least some of the resulting profits were wired to Yemen.
Let’s see. I remember someone saying “welfare should be a second chance, not a lifestyle.”
Clinton said this, and Obama has reversed it. End the entire program and open more soup kitchens. This would probably make someone go look for a job. Our government would save millions or perhaps billions of dollars if they would hire a teams of investigators that do nothing but investigate welfare/food-stamp fraud. What schemes the American crooks don’t think of, the illegal ones that live here and those coming over the border will.
This is unbelievable! This is massive! Share your comments and thoughts below.
H/T: AL.com
