Two Massachusetts men have been arrested in what prosecutors allege was a fraud scheme involving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
Antonio Bonheur, 74, of Mattapan and Saul Alisme, 21, of Hyde Park, were each charged with one count of food stamp fraud, according to a Department of Justice news release.
The Justice Department reported the scheme netted millions, with SNAP redemptions of $100,000 – $500,000 per month.
Bonheur owned the 150-square-foot Jesula Variety Store. Alisme owned the 500-square-foot Saul Mache Mixe Store. Both were in the Mattapan neighborhood of Boston.
Prosecutors said the level of SNAP redemptions at both stores was exceedingly high, with many months topping $300,000. The release said a full-service supermarket in the area redeems about $82,000 per month in SNAP benefits.