Bolaji Michael, Food Stamp Fraud, Pennsylvania 2026

A Pittsburgh woman has been sentenced to two years of probation, including 90 days of home confinement, and ordered to pay over $54,000 in restitution after being convicted of food stamp fraud.

Bolaji Michael, 46, pleaded guilty to one count of food stamp fraud at the United States District Court in Pittsburgh on October 7, 2025. She was sentenced on March 4, 2026, by United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan.

According to the court, Michael owned and operated an African food market where she knowingly allowed individuals to exchange their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamp, benefits for cash. SNAP benefits may only be used to purchase eligible food items and cannot be exchanged for cash. In addition to exchanging SNAP benefits for cash herself, Michael also authorized others at her store to make such exchanges, despite knowing that doing so was a violation of the SNAP program’s rules and regulations.

The monetary loss associated with Michael’s conduct for the charged timeframe totaled $54,996.05. Her actions were deemed a serious breach of trust and a misuse of the SNAP program, which is intended to provide assistance to those in need, not to line the pockets of individuals like Michael.

Assistant United States Attorney Nicole A. Stockey prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Troy Rivetti commended the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations, and Pennsylvania State Police Organized Crime Unit West for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Michael.

The conviction of Michael serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the integrity of government programs and the consequences of those who would seek to exploit them. It also highlights the dedication of law enforcement agencies to uncovering and bringing to justice those who would misuse public funds.

As a result of Michael’s actions, the community has been deprived of over $54,000 that could have been used to purchase essential food items for those in need. The restitution ordered by the court will help to recoup some of the losses incurred by the SNAP program.

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