Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that the defendants participated in the operation of a business known as Big Boys Food Market located at 1129 East Ferry Street in Buffalo. On Nov. 18, 2011, Bandar Alsaidi signed an application to accept food stamps as the sole proprietor of Big Boys. The store was authorized to accept food stamps beginning on Jan. 18, 2012.
Between April 2012 and May 2013, the defendants, and others, knowingly purchased food stamp benefits for less than their full value for cash from eligible beneficiaries. Retailers are prohibited from exchanging cash for food stamps. During this time period, the defendants each exchanged approximately $147,658.28 of food stamp benefits for cash.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge William G. Squires Jr. and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge J. Michael Kennedy.
Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2015 at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
