Why anyone would be even remotely surprised that fraud and abuse is sadly a big part of the political system is beyond me. If anything this election is indicative of how the political class has abused the privilege of serving the people. This latest Food Stamp scandal is simply the end result of government’s willful mismanagement, incompetence and unaccountably, which if course creates the perfect storm for both fraud and abuse. The political process usually begins with good intentions, in this particular instance those receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as “food stamps” are allowed to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at open farmers’ markets…no doubt a good thing. However both the welfare recipients and vendors in the Opa-locka Hialeah Flea Market who were willing to swipe the EBT cards of the benefit recipients, for a cut of the cash, rather than actually selling any produce to the customer. The raid was the largest food stamp fraud bust in U.S. history. The U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida, said Wednesday; “These retailers are flagrantly abusing the public trust by stealing millions of dollars from the federal food stamp program that is intended to provide low-income households with their needed basic provisions of food and nutrition,” However there wouldn’t be abuse of the system, if welfare receipts didn’t sell their benefits in the first place. Earlier this week, 22 people were charged with 15 arrested in relation cases of known food stamp fraud costing tax payers $2.4 million, with an additional 13 million traced in questionable EBT card transactions in South Florida.

 

 Posted by Bob Amoroso / May 19, 2016