CHICAGO (AP) - The owner of a Chicago convenience store has pleaded not guilty to stealing at least $100,000 from the state’s food stamp program.
In a news release, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office says Syreeta Houston entered her plea Thursday to felony counts of organizing a financial crime enterprise, conducting a transaction over $100,000, wire fraud and other charges.
Prosecutors alleged that for several months Houston conducted phony transactions at the Triple C Grocery & Deli with state-issued LINK food stamp cards and then divided the proceeds with the customers.
She was released from custody last month after posting $10,000 bail. There is no listed phone number for her in the Chicago area and there was no answer at the store.
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