A Massachusetts woman is accused of running a $3.6 million food stamp fraud scheme during four years.
Vida Ofori Causey, 45, of Worcester was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit fraud, one count fraud and one count of money laundering.
Federal authorities allege Causey, who was the owner and operator of J&W Aseda Plaza, a convenience store on Main Street in Worcester, bought SNAP benefits instead of exchanging them for food, and then had the USDA deposit the food stamps into her bank account. She is accused of buying the benefits at 50 cents for every SNAP dollar.
State Rep. Shaunna O'Connell told The Boston Herald that state officials need to do more to curb welfare fraud and abuse.
"It's unbelievable to me that nobody picks up on this," she said. "There are so many red flags we should be looking for."
Attorney information for Causey was not immediately available.
