Local News in Brief : Food Stamp Scam Arrests
A downtown Los Angeles grocery store owner has been arrested for allegedly buying food stamps at cut rates and then turning them in to the federal government for cash.
Los Angeles police said Tae Ahn, 28, a Korean immigrant, and two accomplices would approach food stamp recipients at a local check-cashing business, usually on or near the first of the month when government checks are issued, and offer to buy their vouchers for 60% of their face value.
“We have a suspicion that they were dealing with people who used that money to turn around and buy drugs,” Lt. Paul Pesqueira said.
“He really ripped off the system,” he said.
Pesqueira said two officers who work a foot patrol in the downtown area observed the food stamp scam several weeks ago and began to investigate with agents from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Ahn, Carlos Qiron and Manuel Martinez were arrested on suspicion of unlawful acquisition of food stamps, a felony.
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