Three Business Owners Accused Of Food Stamp Fraud
FLINT (WWJ/AP) - Three people in the Flint area are accused of using food stamp cards to buy supplies for their restaurants and catering businesses.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said 63-year-old Paul Verdun, 51-year-old Reginald Clements and 54-year-old Beverly Biggs-Leavy, all of Flint, are charged with food service fraud over $1,000.
According to Leyton, Biggs-Levy would pay EBT Bridge card holders pennies on the dollar to use their cards at grocery stores to buy large quantities of food for her catering business.
Investigators were tipped off by certain red flags such as her bulk purchases and a call she made to the Office of Inspector General when the fraudulent cards didn't work, The Flint Journal reported.
While investigating Biggs-Levy, detectives found Verdun and Clements were doing similar acts for their businesses, Chip's Supper Club in Burton and Chip's Shrimp and Fish in Flint.
Leyton said the fraud added up to tens of thousands of dollars over a seven-month period.
Prosecutors say more suspects could be charged, including people who allegedly sold their EBT Bridge cards to the businesses.
All three defendants were arraigned in 67th District Court in Genesee County and were given personal recognizance bonds. Preliminary examinations are tentatively scheduled for July 18.
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