In a shocking case of food stamp abuse, Ibrahim Zughbi, 67, and his wife Miriam Zughbi, 63, both of Wayne, New Jersey, have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a $4.5 million food stamps fraud scheme.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced that Ibrahim Zughbi was sentenced to 41 months in prison and Miriam Zughbi to 24 months in prison. Ibrahim Zughbi pleaded guilty to an information charging him with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit fraud and money laundering, while Miriam Zughbi pleaded guilty to an information charging her with conspiracy to defraud the United States through SNAP benefit fraud.
The couple, who owned and operated the Jamaica Meat Market in Paterson, New Jersey, defrauded the SNAP program of over $4.5 million between January 2014 and January 2018. The scheme involved exchanging SNAP benefits for cash, which was then laundered through various means.
According to documents filed in the case, Ibrahim Zughbi had previously participated in the SNAP program when he owned a different grocery store, Neighborhood Supermarket. However, he was permanently disqualified from the program in 2011 after being accused of SNAP violations.
Despite this, Ibrahim Zughbi continued to run the Jamaica Meat Market and exchange SNAP benefits for cash. To conceal the proceeds of the scheme, he wrote inflated checks from the store’s account to a supplier and then received cash back. He also issued checks to family members with no apparent connection to the store.
In addition to their prison sentences, Ibrahim Zughbi and Miriam Zughbi were ordered to pay restitution of $4.66 million and serve three years of supervised release. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey and investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General.
Defendant: Ibrahim Zughbi, Miriam Zughbi
Criminal Charges: SNAP benefit fraud, money laundering, conspiracy to defraud the United States through SNAP benefit fraud
City and State: Wayne, New Jersey
Exact Date: Not specified
Sentence: Ibrahim Zughbi – 41 months in prison, Miriam Zughbi – 24 months in prison
Dollar Amounts: Over $4.5 million in SNAP benefits defrauded, $4.66 million in restitution ordered
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Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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