Authorities in Massachusetts have charged two men with a staggering $7 million in food stamp fraud connected to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Antonio Bonheur, a 74-year-old, and 21-year-old Saul Alisme face serious allegations, with each charged with one count of SNAP program fraud. U.S. Attorney Leah Foley described how these men exploited small storefronts such as Jesula Variety Store and Saul Mache Mixe Store to redeem SNAP benefits, raking in enormous sums—up to $500,000 a month. For perspective, that figure dwarfs the $82,000 a month redeemed by a local supermarket.
Foley noted that these establishments did not fit the typical profiles of supermarkets or even convenience stores, stating, “These were not supermarkets. They were not full-service groceries. It would be a huge stretch to even call them convenience stores.” Her words underline a shocking reality: these storefronts primarily served as fronts for fraud, making the convenience offered a mere illusion.
“This was not a sophisticated fraud scheme, and it didn’t have to be because a lack of oversight was all that was needed to allow it to happen,” Foley added. Her statement reflects a broader concern regarding the regulatory gaps that enabled such schemes to flourish without consequence—an issue that undoubtedly resonates with taxpayers.
If convicted, Bonheur and Alisme face up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a potential financial penalty of $250,000. The prosecution suggests that their primary operations took place at the Jesula storefront.
Adding to the complexity, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey disclosed that her administration had alerted federal authorities about the questionable transactions occurring at these stores over a year earlier. Healey, a former Attorney General, pledges to support the full prosecution of fraud in federal programs. “I will always support prosecution to the fullest extent of the law for anyone who engages in fraud or abuse,” she remarked.
The timing of this crackdown is significant, happening in the wake of pressure from the Trump administration, which has signaled intentions to withhold federal funding from states that do not adequately monitor SNAP benefit payments. This focus on potential misconduct comes amid revelations of substantial fraud committed by Somali immigrants in Minnesota, which reportedly cost taxpayers nearly a billion dollars. In response, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced plans to implement a new statewide prevention program that includes collaboration with a private firm specializing in forensic auditing.
The fraudulent activities of Bonheur and Alisme were facilitated through clever tactics, including the utilization of secondary bank accounts. Benefits transferred to these accounts were withdrawn as cash and then redeposited to create the façade of legitimate business activity. This kind of manipulation highlights the depths of their deceit and the challenge faced by law enforcement in maintaining oversight.
Moreover, both men sold MannaPack meals—donated food products intended for humanitarian aid—at a profit of $8 each, representing an egregious exploitation of resources meant to assist those in need.
The allegations against these two individuals reveal a concerning pattern of exploitation within government assistance programs. They point not only to the criminal activities of Bonheur and Alisme but also to systemic flaws that allow such actions to persist unchecked. As investigations proceed, it remains to be seen how authorities will bolster oversight to prevent similar cases of fraud in the future.
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