February 12, 2008

            LANSING - Attorney General Mike Cox today announced charges against 27 people associated with eight stores in Detroit who are alleged to be involved in food stamp trafficking totaling more than $1.5 million.

            "This is a crime against taxpayers and those who are most vulnerable," said Cox. "The cost to taxpayers as a result of this fraudulent activity is staggering."

            The Michigan Department of Human Resources, Office of Inspector General, conservatively estimates that about 4% of all food stamp transactions are fraudulent. There is $115 million spent with food stamps every month in Michigan. This means approximately $4.6 million in fraudulent transactions take place every month in Michigan (or $55.2 million per year). Wayne County alone accounts for slightly less than 1/3 of the food stamp transactions, which translates into an estimated food stamp fraud in Wayne County alone of around $16 million per year.

            "Let today's operation be a warning that this type of fraud will not be tolerated," said Col. Peter C. Munoz, Director of the Michigan State Police. "Working with our partners at the Michigan Department of Human Services, the Michigan Attorney General's Office, and the United States Department of Agriculture, we will ensure that food benefits are used to help those in need rather than to pad the pocketbooks of business owners."

            "This operation was a great example of teamwork, and I want to thank all of the various departments and agencies that made today's arrests possible," Cox said. "My office teamed up with the Michigan State Police, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Michigan Department of Human Services and together we will continue to fight this fraudulent activity."

            Throughout the duration of this investigation, investigators utilized confidential informants and/or police officers working in an undercover capacity to conduct fraudulent transactions where they would receive cash for food stamp benefits. During these undercover operations, the confidential informants and/or police officers were equipped with devices for recording video and/or audio footage of the fraudulent transactions with the store owners and/or employees. The defendants are charged with a felony violation of the food stamp act for which the maximum penalties are 10 years imprisonment and/or $250,000 in penalties. In addition, the stores and its owners and employees are charged with conducting a continuing criminal enterprise (punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment and/or $100,000 and criminal forfeiture of proceeds), conspiracy (up to 5 years imprisonment and/or $10,000 fine), electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card fraud (4 years imprisonment and/or $4,000 fine), and money laundering (10 year imprisonment and/or $100,000 in fines).

            A criminal charge is merely an accusation and all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

            The following lists the various defendants and the stores with which they are associated:

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