Feds: Food stamps swapped for booze, Viagra
Staff at Detroit liquor store face charges after allegedly netting $130,000
DETROIT - Viagra and pornography are not staples on the government's food stamp list. But authorities say a Detroit liquor store supplied them during a series of illegal deals.
Federal prosecutors filed fraud charges this week against three people who worked at Jefferson's Liquor Palace.
The alleged scheme worked this way: Food stamp recipients would get cash from the store in exchange for swiping larger amounts off their electronic cards. The store would then be reimbursed by the U.S. Agriculture Department.
And in some transactions, the government says the store provided informants Viagra, liquor and porn in exchange for swiping about $2,000 off food stamp cards.
The government says fraud at the store topped $130,000 over 2 1/2 years. The store is closed.
Thankyou, AP news, for putting this smile on my face today.
You mean that Viagra and booze aren't mandatory to survival? I dunno about that...if the government had to deal with some of the asshats that I have to deal with on a daily basis, they might reconsider.
And you know what kills me? That this happened for TWO AND A HALF years. WTF. Food stamps being used at a liquor store didn't send up any red alerts?! I mean...hellooooo. Even I could have seen this one coming.
Viagra and booze not mandatory for survival? SAY IT AIN'T SO!
ReplyDeleteWell now. The gov gives out entitlements for things necessary for survival (food), and the recipients go out and abuse the privilege for self gain. The people for using it for Viagra, porn, and booze, and the store for the profit. They should be penalized by not being given food stamps ever again, and not being able to accept gov program at the store.
ReplyDeleteAunt Becky: I know, right?
ReplyDeleteCrier: I'm on board for that one. They need to learn to stop abusing governmental programs like this.