Two women have been arrested after the Food Stamp police discovered the women were buying the food for their restaurant using 21 food stamp (SNAP) cards that were not in their names. The card numbers and PIN numbers were written down in a notebook.
The news story has this curious sentence:
“The court may also order restitution to victims of the offense.”
Who might they be referring to?
A DOJ report indicates they used 180 EBT cards from 2015-16.
Why do I get the feeling some of their patrons may have been a source?
Some hope the sentence will be light.
“I hope they can give them something like community service, no jail time,” Davis said.
Here is my theory – it goes like this…
Patron: Can I pay for my meals using SNAP?
Owner: nope, but tell you what – if you give me your SNAP card and PIN, you can eat here for free whenever you want.
Patron: Great! I don’t know how to cook… thanks!
The IRS must think their books look a bit odd, too.
Yes, that was my thought, except it was probably tied to the amount on the card. e.g. discounted menu prices. The fact they kept the cards would indicate there were revolving accounts… or is there a daily/weekly spending limit on SNAP?
The italicized lines were from the article. The people who hoped the proprietors would get a light sentence might have been ‘victims’ (i.e. aiding and abetting).
They’re victims cause they are now food insecure and the police have their SNAP cards. It’s quite probable they are fake identities or people who no longer qualify.
SNAP used to deposit the funds at midnight on the 1st, which resulted in people waiting in Walmart at midnight. I think now it happens on a random day, as supermarkets were gaming the system, knowing that people getting free stuff are not price sensitive