PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — A Philadelphia woman has been sentenced for defrauding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and will have to pay back nearly $2,000,000.
Jenny Espinal Tejada, 34, used her store corner grocery store to redeem SNAP benefits, even though her store had not been approved, according to United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero. She was charged in July 2024 and pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of fraud.
She was sentenced to 18 months in prison and must pay back $1,842,402 in restitution, and forfeit the proceeds that she made off her offenses.
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“Espinal Tejada sought to profit illicitly from the SNAP program, diverting nearly $2 million of the USDA’s money,” U.S. Attorney Romero said. “On behalf of the folks who rely on these resources every day — and the taxpayers who fund the programs — we and our partners will continue to prosecute abuses like this and ensure that those who commit them are held appropriately accountable.”
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations, and the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Abrams.
* Original Article:
https://www.wtaj.com/crime/pennsylvania-woman-sentenced-to-pay-nearly-2m-for-snap-benefit-scam/amp/