Fresno bakery owner arrested in food stamp scam

53-year-old Jorge Luis Rivera of Fresno was arrested in connection to a food stamp fraud scheme estimated to be over $5 million.

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[everypitchcounts]

What liquor store and gas station doesn't do this

[gregoryfuzi]

Aw he's got the money to bond out and pay the fines. He probably only payed 50 cents on the dollar of food stamps. He made bank!

[varelas]

Food is food. Cold or hot. He was allowing people to eat.

[ConcernedCitizen]

Now go after the fraudulent benefit recipients. You can start with drug testing. Next move on to professional baby momma's.

[dennisreynolds]

That dumb, he just helping people with the food problems.

[Mahmoud-mkrw]

He’s not the only store that does that it’s been going on since the 80’s your late. Far as exchange for money that’s a problem but the exchange for other items I don’t see any wrong in that no beer no cigs food only.
For instance if your in Walmart with food stamps you can buy all the food in there except hot stuff from the deli counter it makes no sense. I can buy a big bag of frozen chicken nuggets no problem but a small container of hot chicken nuggets that’s a no.

Plenty things that could be fixed about that program. But importantly society needs a fix. People should understand those at the bottom will do whatever they can to survive and those at the top or doing well should be thankful that they don’t have to live like that.

[BazzonMan-gfho]

This case serves as a reminder that public awareness and education are vital in detecting and reporting fraudulent behavior. Encouraging individuals to come forward with information about suspicious activities can play a crucial role in uncovering larger fraud schemes and assisting law enforcement efforts.

By addressing the root causes and implementing preventive measures, we can safeguard public resources, protect vulnerable individuals, and maintain the integrity of social welfare programs that serve a vital purpose in supporting those in need.

[Vibezz]

When the government can’t control the money, they come after hard working people
Who try to help
Others

[hamradiotimes]

No surprises in this community. Scamers

[TheAutolycus]

Nah, ca legislation heard about this case then instantly changed EBT laws.
EBT pays for cold food, business eats the cost in labor/utilities to cook it. Win for both.

EBT pays for cold food and ingredients, business gets profit.

This shit changed it all.

[arlanstrong]

These people. 🙄 No one should be surprised.

[mommajones]

I knew a place in Portland Or loke this. People could buy liquor, smokes, diapers whatever w/their food stamps, I couldn't believe it when a friend told me.

[AGuyThatKnowsALittleBitAboutIt]

Maybe if we have this as a no plea deal type of crime, it will be such a deterrent that no business owner would risk it. The fact that most of these guys get a plea with a fine and probation, gives them no fear of the risk/reward consequences. Make it mandatory 20 years in federal custody and these scams will stop quickly. The fact there is a profit motive for the store owners and the SNAP recipients is what makes people question common sense programs to help our fellow citizens in time of need.
The sad truth is, that the store owners profit, the SNAP recipient makes a few bucks and the rest of the food supply chain profits off of the grift is basically a pillar of our economy at this point.
Blaming poor people for utilizing a government program is not the problem, it's the greed of everyone else that willingly scams the taxpayer that is the problem. Nobody I have ever met is proud to use SNAP, they are working poor who don't make enough to survive while being underpaid by the welfare queens in the donor class.
So many issues of our current society would be solved if we actually used our criminal justice system to obliterate those that exploit the system. Imprison fraudsters so heavily, that they don't see the outside of prison for a few decades. This is why shoplifting, DUI, assault, and so many crimes persist. If the prosecutors are seen as weak, the criminals have no fear. Unfortunately, I don't trust our law enforcement officers or the for profit prison complex to be an honest player in that scenario either.

[tonycastro]

arrest also the ones getting them, , when they not suppose to, , ,

[hadgalsinthebooth]

Food stamp scams have been going on since food stamps were introduced. I don't know how many established stores get into it for millions though, that is quite a bit. I would expect more "fly-by-night" stores to do it, set up shop for maybe 6 months then liquidate and move on to open another store in a different city. Maybe I watch too many movies.

[stephaniejames]

So he gets to come home to 250k shy of five million? Crime does I guess.

[badEK]

Someone got mad they paid $2 EBT for a donut and snitched. Lol. If you’re on EBT and eating donuts, you ain’t struggling.

[bldmyamean]

I like that the fine for stealing 5 million dollars is just 250, 000... I'm sure the jail time evens it out though. I mean 4.75 million in 20 years... that seems like a reasonable normal salary for a bakery store.

[Shaftya_McNasty]

I see link card folks in Chicago buying alcohol and loose cigarettes all the time at my local corner store.

[ExoSquadCommander]

I had one of those in my neighborhood when I was a kid they were tight. Sold me rolling papers then too