Two men in Massachusetts find themselves behind bars as prosecutors lay bare an alleged scheme defrauding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Antonio Bonheur, 74, of Mattapan, and Saul Alisme, 21, of Hyde Park, are charged with food stamp fraud that reportedly resulted in millions of dollars in illegal profits. The Department of Justice claims these two individuals raked in between $100,000 and $500,000 per month from the SNAP program alone.
Bonheur ran the compact Jesula Variety Store, while Alisme managed his own small establishment, Saul Mache Mixe Store, both nestled in the Mattapan neighborhood of Boston. Prosecutors pointed out the staggering volume of SNAP redemptions occurring at these stores—often surpassing $300,000 per month. To put this into perspective, a full-service grocery store in the area typically sees around $82,000 in monthly SNAP redemptions. This glaring disparity raises eyebrows and begs the question: how could such small outlets manage to sustain such high levels of SNAP activity?
Another striking detail is the transaction patterns at these stores. The indictment notes that over 70% of the transactions were for amounts of $95 or more, a behavior more indicative of a supermarket than a neighborhood convenience store. This anomaly further suggests that the operations at Bonheur and Alisme’s shops were anything but typical.
The fraudulent behavior became even clearer when undercover observers reported witnessing the exchange of SNAP benefits for cash alongside sales of alcohol, which is illicit under SNAP guidelines. United States Attorney Leah Foley didn’t hold back in her condemnation of their actions, stating, “These men abused one of the government’s most critical safety net programs for their own financial gain.” Foley emphasized that SNAP funds are intended to keep people from hunger, yet these defendants allegedly robbed the system for personal profit.
The charges extend beyond regular SNAP abuse. They also involve selling MannaPack meals—donated food meant for starving children in disaster-stricken areas. Foley made it clear: “These products are not for sale anywhere. Yet Bonheur and Alisme were selling them in their stores for nearly $10 a pack.” This sale of humanitarian aid for profit presents a moral failing that compounds the fraud these men are charged with.
Further analysis reveals that the stores consistently showcased limited food inventory, raising skepticism about the legitimacy of their SNAP sales. The financial records were equally telling. Prosecutors stated that there was a conspicuous absence of purchases typical of a grocery store. Instead, records were filled with round-trip transactions and cash movements, suggesting attempts to cover up the fraud. “What were missing from the financial records were the things you would expect in any real grocery store,” Foley noted, outlining how the two men relied almost exclusively on USDA-funded SNAP redemptions for income.
Beyond the immediate case against Bonheur and Alisme, Foley highlighted wider concerns over systemic oversight regarding SNAP benefits. She discussed ongoing investigations aimed at scrutinizing other stores that exhibit suspiciously high volumes of EBT transactions. Foley stated, “We are planning to continue to investigate other stores and businesses where anomalous volumes of EBT transactions… is completely untethered from the realities of what those stores legitimately could ever possibly redeem.”
The charges brought against Bonheur and Alisme carry significant penalties. A conviction for food stamp fraud greater than $100 could result in a five-year prison sentence and a hefty $250,000 fine. The potential consequences serve as a somber reminder of the ethical obligations businesses have when working with public assistance programs.
This case stands out not only for its scale but also for its implications. It demonstrates how high the stakes are when taxpayer money is misused. As investigations expand, it may unearth even more troubling revelations about the intersection of small businesses and social safety nets in the region. The commitment to ending such fraudulent practices suggests ongoing vigilance will be required to uphold the integrity of programs designed to support those in need.
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