BELLE GLADE, FL -- Gassan Ali, 35, of Belle Glade, and Imad Ali, 27, of Royal Palm Beach, were both charged with organized fraud, grand theft, and food stamp fraud after authorities say they committed nearly $1 million worth of food stamp fraud.
The store was reportedly documenting food stamps via Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) at a rate seven times the average activity in Belle Glade, according to FDLE.
During the investigation, FDLE agents determined that the Ali brothers would misappropriate food stamp benefits using the following method: a customer would come into Billy’s Market and ask Gassan Ali or Imad Ali if they could use their EBT swipe card in return for cash.
The FDLE says customers would swipe their EBT card and be provided with the requested amount of cash. No receipt would be provided to the customer for the transaction. A check of EBT records revealed that the two men actually charged the EBT card a much higher amount than was actually given to the customer, pocketing the difference and defrauding the state of Florida and the U.S. government. Under the USDA, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly the Food Stamp Program, recipients may not convert any EBT food benefits to cash.
The FDLE also says that Gassan Ali and Imad Ali would allow customers to purchase certain items using their EBT card that were not allowed according to program regulations.
FDLE and USDA analysis of financial records showed that in 2007 and 2008, Billy’s Market redeemed $936,176 more in food stamp benefits than the store’s total reported sales for the two-year period.
Gassan Ali was previously arrested in 2006 for committing food stamp fraud at Billy’s Market. Gassan Ali and Imad Ali were booked into the Palm Beach County Jail. They are each being held on a $1 million bond.
During the execution of the search warrant today at Billy’s Market, investigators found four weapons and a small quantity of oxycodone. FDLE’s investigation continues. Attorney General Bill McCollum’s Office of Statewide Prosecution will prosecute this case.
FDLE began its investigation in 2007 after the USDA reported that Billy’s Market, located at 464 Ave E in Belle Glade, was allegedly trafficking in food stamps.The Florida Department of Law Enforcement along with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, the Office of Inspector General with U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were all involved in the investigation.
