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3w ago

Four Charged in $1 Million SNAP and Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Tied to Massachusetts Restaurant

The case is fueling a renewed federal drive for Massachusetts to share recipient data with the USDA to target identity-theft schemes.

U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley addresses the media at a press conference in connection with an alleged fraud scheme involving SNAP benefits, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., February 3, 2026. REUTERS/Taylor Coester
U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley addresses the media at a press conference in connection with an alleged fraud scheme involving SNAP benefits, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., February 3, 2026. REUTERS/Taylor Coester
U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley addresses the media at a press conference in connection with an alleged fraud scheme involving SNAP benefits, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., February 3, 2026. REUTERS/Taylor Coester
U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley addresses the media at a press conference in connection with an alleged fraud scheme involving SNAP benefits, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., February 3, 2026. REUTERS/Taylor Coester

Overview

  • Prosecutors say the group used 115 stolen identities to obtain about $440,000 in SNAP benefits and more than $700,000 in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance across multiple states.
  • Investigators allege the defendants used fraudulently obtained EBT cards to buy bulk meat and other food to stock El Primo Restaurant in Leominster, then sold meals for profit.
  • Searches recovered EBT cards, counterfeit documents, ledgers and handwritten identity lists, and court records state the lead defendant has agreed to plead guilty.
  • Rhode Island auditors flagged 117 suspicious SNAP applications tied to two Providence addresses and alerted Massachusetts, which closed affected accounts as federal agents pursued the case.
  • U.S. Attorney Leah Foley disputed that Massachusetts made a formal referral to USDA investigators, and the White House publicly pressed Governor Maura Healey to provide SNAP recipient data to federal authorities.