📌 What Happened?

• Big Fraud Uncovered: A group of 6 people, including a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) worker, was caught stealing $66 million from SNAP (food stamp program).
• SNAP Explained: This program helps low-income families buy groceries using EBT cards (like debit cards for food).

🔍 How They Did It:

1. Fake EBT Cards: Created + used unauthorized EBT cards, mainly in New York. Resulted in $30M+ in fake transactions.
2. Insider Leaks: The USDA employee sold confidential info to criminals, helping them cheat the system.
3. Fake Stores: Used fake documents to make ineligible stores appear legitimate, allowing fraudulent SNAP payments.

👥 Who Was Involved?

• Key Names: Michael Kehoe, Arlas Davis (USDA worker), and four others.
• Charges: Accused of planning to steal government funds and misuse SNAP benefits.

💡 Why It Matters

• Hurts Vulnerable People: SNAP helps struggling families buy food. Stealing these funds takes resources from those in need.
• Taxpayer Money Wasted: $66M was meant for hunger relief, not criminals.

🚨 Official Response

• Crackdown: USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins called this a historic case.
• Warning: “This is just the start. More fraud cases will be uncovered. Stealing from taxpayers won’t be tolerated!”

🔮 What’s Next?

• More Investigations: Government vows to keep hunting fraud in SNAP.
• Consequences: “Break the law, face real penalties,” officials warned.

Simplified Analogy:
Imagine a charity meant to feed hungry families, but thieves create fake donation cards and steal money. That’s what happened here—criminals exploited a system designed to help people survive.

Key Terms Simplified:

• USDA: U.S. Department of Agriculture (runs SNAP).
• EBT Card: Electronic Benefit Transfer card (like a debit card for food stamps).
• Conspiracy: A group planning illegal actions together.

Quote Simplified:
“If you cheat programs meant to help the poor, you will get caught.” 

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