Two Mississippi women have been sentenced after racking up thousands in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud schemes, WJTV reports.
The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) said Katrina Harris and Lashonda Smith reached plea agreements in separate cases of welfare fraud. Pike County investigators found Harris improperly received $69,881 in SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps, after failing to report her earned income and residence.
In a post on X, Stephen Vaden, deputy secretary of the Department of Agriculture, warned against those considering committing acts of fraud.
“Commit fraud? We will find you and hold you accountable. Including jail time,” he wrote. “And now, we have the whole government, under the leadership of @VP and @AFergusonFTC, rooting out abuse of any program meant to help the most vulnerable.”
Fraud accusations by SNAP retailers include selling items not permitted under the program, exchanging SNAP benefits for cash, and lying on applications in order to receive authorization to participate as a retailer under the program.
If found to commit fraud, retailers can be permanently disqualified or face both financial and criminal penalties, leading to fines and prison time.
“No more stealing from hungry children, needy families, and hardworking taxpayers. Inspector General John Walk and his team are putting fraudsters on notice,” she wrote. “Steal from the taxpayer? Pay the price.”
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Source: Black Enterprise
