PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Federal law enforcement officials are investigating a Maine business owner suspected of pocketing thousands of dollars under a cash-back scheme involving the food stamp program.
Republican Gov. Paul LePage on Monday called attention to a federal court affidavit filed last spring describing a scam that converted money meant to feed the poor into cash.
The document indicates a Portland grocer charged excessive amounts onto customers’ electronic benefit transfer cards, provided cash in return and kept a commission.
No charges have been filed against the man or his grocery store. His lawyer hasn’t responded to a request for comment.
LePage on Monday chastised the media for not reporting on the case, which was publicized by a conservative website. The governor’s office says the fraud amounts to “hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
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