12 indicted in alleged $2 million food-stamp scam

VIDEO: 12 indicted in $2 million food-stamp scam
ANGELICA A. MORRISON
Oct 06, 2009 @ 05:17 PM

ANGELICA A. MORRISON/ Observer-Dispatch Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente speaks during a press conference on Tuesday Oct. 6, 2009 in reference to 12 Utica residents indicted on charges of federal food stamp fraud.

By EMERSON CLARRIDGE
Observer-Dispatch
Posted Oct 06, 2009 @ 03:37 PM
Last update Oct 06, 2009 @ 08:41 PM

UTICA — As clerks at six city convenience stores time and time again swiped cards that each held hundreds of dollars in food stamp benefits, there never was food on the counters, federal authorities say.

Instead, they would hand customers cash with a wink and keep a percentage of the value of the food assistance cards, officials said.

The scheme was carried out over the last 18 months and netted the store owners and employees more than $2 million, according to an indictment handed up by a federal grand jury and unsealed Tuesday.

“Those arrested today are some of the worst profiteers that we encounter,â€