(AP) — Two Kansas City grocery store owners are sentenced in a food stamp fraud scheme that netted $151,000.
Prosecutors say Ibrahim Alanabuki was sentenced Monday to 15 months in federal prison without parole. His wife, Mona Jwad, was sentenced to five years’ probation.
The couple owned the Al-Forat Bakery and Store in Kansas City.
Prosecutors say a third defendant, Hani Al-Zaidi, persuaded homeless people to give him their food stamps in exchange for cash. Alanbuki would make it appear he had sold food to the recipients, then distribute the money.
Alanabuki also accepted benefits to pay the beneficiary’s utility bills, or sell ineligible items. Alanabuki and Jwad also used other people’s food stamps to buy their own food.
Al-Zaidi was sentenced in October to time already served, about 15 months.