Related Federal Cases
- Viviane Cazeau, Bank Fraud Scheme, Massachusetts, 2023 · Florida
- Jayme Gordon, Kung Fu Panda Wire Fraud, Massachusetts 2024 · Pennsylvania
- Stephen S. Eubanks, Wire Fraud, Massachusetts 2024 · Florida
- Gerardo Heriberto Nuñez Nuñez, Elder Fraud Scheme, Boston MA, 2026 · Pennsylvania
- HHS Office of Inspector General, Healthcare Fraud Crackdown, Washin… · Virginia
Clinton Man Pleads Guilty to Food Stamp Fraud
BOSTON – A Clinton man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Worcester to food stamp fraud.
Thomas Laverty, 39, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government funds and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 15, 2020 by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman. His co-defendants, Andrea Laverty and Charles Laverty, also face charges in the case.
Laverty was convicted at trial in January 2020 of drug and money laundering charges arising from his role in a large-scale marijuana grow operation. He received income from this marijuana business, but at the same time was receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Eligibility for SNAP benefits is need-based, and is determined on the basis of a household’s income and resources. On pertinent paperwork provided to the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (which administers SNAP benefits in Massachusetts), Laverty made material misrepresentations regarding his income and living status.
Laverty made false statements on paperwork in October 2016 and April 2017, claiming that no one in his household was working and that there were no changes to his household income. During this time, he was receiving income from the family marijuana business and living with his wife, who was also receiving SNAP benefits under a different address.
Laverty was charged with the food stamp fraud at the same time he was indicted on drug and money laundering offenses, but the fraud count was severed from the other charges prior to trial. He faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 on the food stamp fraud count.
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News