USDA SNAP EBT Patterns Trafficking Lawyers
USDA SNAP EBT Patterns Trafficking Lawyers
As more people have used food stamps to feed themselves and their families, this has unfortunately opened the door for many to abuse the nation’s welfare system and thus commit fraud. Though you may think fraudulent acts involving SNAP are limited only to individuals, the fact is many retailers have also been found to be guilty of these crimes, especially smaller stores located in neighborhoods. If the USDA has sent you a letter informing you that you and your business are now facing these types of allegations, don’t assume they will simply go away. Instead, expect the federal government to aggressively pursue various actions against you and your business, which could result in stiff fines, suspensions and disqualification from accepting EBT, and even criminal charges. To get expert representation for your case, contact EBT patterns trafficking lawyers who understand how seriously the USDA takes these allegations.
Increase in SNAP Participants
Due to various factors within the nation’s economy, there has been a large increase in the number of retailers who participate in SNAP over the last five years, with statistics showing a 40 percent increase nationwide. However, since the vast majority of food stamp fraud takes place in smaller stores rather than large, well-known supermarket chains, the USDA spends much of its time keeping a close eye on local, independent stores. As a result, you may find your store being accused of SNAP trafficking by mistake, which can become a legal nightmare in a hurry. Once the USDA has its sights set on you and your store, expect a long, drawn-out fight before the USDA will ever admit it made a mistake with its accusations. Since you will never be successful handling such a complex legal matter by yourself, immediately contact EBT patterns trafficking lawyers who can develop smart legal strategies to fight the federal government.
The Possibility of Grand Larceny Charges
Should the USDA allege you have committed food stamp fraud in your store, these allegations could lead to grand larceny charges being levied against you by the district attorney’s office in your area. If this happens and you are convicted of these charges, you could find yourself spending up to seven years in prison. When allegations of this nature are made, the investigations that follow are usually very swift and aggressive, and involve not only the USDA, but also investigators from the district attorney’s office and perhaps even your state’s social services department. With multiple agencies working together to build a case against you, the evidence often seems overwhelming and impossible to overcome. However, by hiring experienced EBT patterns trafficking lawyers as quickly as possible, they too can uncover key evidence and discover discrepancies in the USDA’s case against you, increasing the chances you can emerge with as little damage as possible to your reputation and business.
An Overwhelmed System
In the U.S., the welfare systems of virtually all states are overwhelmed. As a result, case workers cannot begin to keep track of all the details associated with EBT recipients. The same holds true for the USDA and DA offices, which have more work than they can handle. Thus, it is quite easy for these agencies to make mistakes with paperwork, interpret rules incorrectly, and other mistakes that could result in food stamp fraud allegations being made against you erroneously. Yet even when this is clearly what has happened, don’t expect the USDA or your local DA to admit this, apologize, and correct their mistakes. Instead, they will likely continue to pursue the case against you until the bitter end. That is, unless you hire a skilled attorney to represent you immediately following the charges you receive from the USDA.
Simple Mistakes Can Lead to Disaster
If you have a small, local store, you know you enter EBT into your cash register manually, rather than relying on scanning of barcodes. However, if you or one of your employees makes an honest mistake, this will give the USDA the ammunition it needs to accuse you of food stamp fraud. Since rules are always changing for the SNAP program, it can be very easy for you or an employee to make honest mistakes over and over until you gain a better understanding of what should be done. Yet by this time, your simple mistakes have led to a disaster that involves criminal charges and other legal issues. Rather than see yourself and others possibly going to jail, you being forced to close or sell your business, and having your reputation as an honest, local businessperson come crashing down around you, put your case in the hands of attorneys who know how to take on the federal government and win time after time.
Trafficking and Selling EBT Cards
When the USDA and its investigators come calling, it is because the agency has reason to believe you have engaged in trafficking or even the selling of EBT cards. Since being in possession of a fraudulent EBT card that is valued at only $100 is considered to be a felony, these allegations are extremely serious. If your situation spirals out of control very quickly, you could be staring at various penalties that will no doubt ruin your life. For example, if the USDA decides to attach a Transfer Civil Money Penalty to your business, this could mean you will have to pay the agency thousands of dollars in fines should you sell or close your business.
If you are a trusting person who believes the USDA will eventually see the error of its ways and rectify your situation, you will be in for a very rude awakening. Instead of waiting until it’s too late, contact an experienced EBT patterns trafficking lawyer at once.
