A Florida woman recently pleaded guilty to federal charges of SNAP fraud. A program that was previously known as the Food Stamp program and later changed to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a federally run program to assist individuals and families with low incomes by providing money to buy food. The Florida Department of Children and Families says the funds are strictly redeemable on essential food products only, although some white collar crimes cases involve SNAP fraud.
The 34-year-old woman was indicted for allegedly defrauding the SNAP system of about $3,000 over a period of 11 months between March 2015 and Feb. 2016. Court documents indicate that, of the seven counts of SNAP fraud, the accused woman pleaded guilty on only three counts, although she pleaded guilty on both counts of government fund theft. Reportedly, she agreed to pay restitution in full to the department that oversees the SNAP program.
Court documents indicate that the benefits were paid into the woman’s debit card. The Department of Justice alleged that she cashed the benefits on repeated occasions by making minor purchases and cashing out the balance with store personnel. Federal agents reportedly identified the fraud during an analysis of the store’s data related to SNAP redemption transactions.
When someone in Florida is accused of white collar crimes, he or she might be unsure of how to react and where to go for help. The most logical step would likely be to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney who can protect the person’s legal rights and assess the circumstances. After reviewing the evidence and the charges, the lawyer can suggest the most appropriate way to proceed in pursuit of the best possible outcome.
