Investigators say the suspect was allegedly sending some of the SNAP money to the West Bank.
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Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia has announced the arrest of a man accused of stealing more than $862,000 from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Anwar Jouda is being charged with grand theft, organized scheme to defraud and criminal use of personal identification information. Ingoglia detailed the case at a news conference with several South Florida law enforcement officials, including Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz, whose fraud detectives helped develop the case.
Investigators with the Department of Financial Services’ Bureau of Public Assistance Fraud say Jouda used the identity of a victim and their SNAP-authorized business without permission. Using fraudulent merchant applications, forged documents and falsified banking information, he allegedly diverted $862,394.95 in SNAP deposits into his own bank accounts.
Investigators also found that Jouda allegedly wired some of the money overseas to Ramallah, the West Bank city where the Palestinian Authority is headquartered. Ingoglia said evidence relating the alleged wire transfers to the West Bank is being turned over to federal officials for additional investigation.
“If you try to steal from the taxpayers, I can guarantee that the law will catch up with you and ensure that you face the consequences of your crimes,” Ingoglia said.
“Under my watch, public assistance fraud will not be tolerated in Florida, which is why my investigators are going after these fraudsters every day. My main goal as CFO is to protect the taxpayers of Florida and root out waste, fraud, and abuse.”
Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said the alleged theft hurt families who rely on the program.
“This alleged well organized, well planned and well executed theft of monies intended to assist low-income families with maintaining their abilities to put healthy food on their tables, literally took food from the mouths of needy families and children,” Fernandez Rundle said.
“Allegedly sending some of those stolen SNAP benefit monies out of the country adds another level of insult to those legitimately needing this assistance.”
Bridget Royster, Assistant Secretary for Economic Self-Sufficiency at the Florida Department of Children and Families, said SNAP must reach the people it is meant to serve.
“SNAP is a critical resource for Floridians who need support getting back on their feet, and we have a responsibility to ensure those benefits reach the people who qualify for them,” Royster said.
It’s the latest SNAP fraud case announced by Ingoglia’s Office this year. In May, the CFO announced the arrest of Abbas Rehman, who is accused of stealing more than $2.8 million in SNAP funds by using the stolen identities of four USDA-authorized retailers. Ingoglia announced in June the arrest of another dozen people also accused of SNAP fraud.
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