Atif Imran, Food Stamp Fraud, Pennsylvania 2024

Pittsburgh resident Atif Imran, 41, has entered a guilty plea to charges of food stamp fraud and theft of government funds in a federal court proceeding, with the case causing a significant loss to the federal food stamp program of $85,000.

Imran, the owner and operator of A to Z Convenience Store, Inc., a gas station and convenience store located on West Street in Homestead, pleaded guilty in front of United States District Judge David S. Cercone. The defendant indicated that he had entered into a civil settlement agreement with the United States and agreed to make restitution of $85,000.

According to information presented in court, Imran participated in the United States Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as the Food Stamp Program. Food stamp recipients could purchase eligible food items at A to Z using food stamp benefit cards. However, Imran and his employees were aware that the Food Stamp Program rules prohibited the exchange of food stamp benefits for cash.

Despite this knowledge, Imran and his employees engaged in the illicit practice of exchanging food stamp benefits for cash on a discounted basis, usually giving customers only 50 cents on the dollar for food stamp benefits. A typical exchange would involve the customer purchasing a bottled drink and a snack food item, then providing $100 in food stamp benefits for which they would receive $50 cash.

Assistant United States Attorney Colin Callahan litigated the case on behalf of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Section of the United States Attorney’s Office. Acting U.S. Attorney Song commended the Office of the Inspector General for the United States Department of Agriculture and the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Imran.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding the integrity of federal programs and the consequences of engaging in fraudulent activities. As a result of Imran’s actions, the federal government will be able to recover $85,000 in restitution, a significant step towards restoring the losses incurred due to his illicit activities.

In a statement, Acting U.S. Attorney Song emphasized the importance of protecting the public trust and upholding the law. ‘The Office of the United States Attorney is committed to investigating and prosecuting those who engage in fraudulent activities, including those who seek to exploit federal programs for personal gain,’ she said.

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