Lotto Clerks Busted for Food Stamp Fraud
21 stores owners were arrested by FDLE
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399862 02: Jose Esteban buys lottery tickets January 19, 2002 at the ETD food mart in Miami, FL. An $85 million lottery drawing lured Esteban and many other Floridians to lottery retail spots statewide, all vying to snatch up tickets before the late evening Florida Lotto drawing. Florida Lottery officials stated that the jackpot represented the fourth largest in the 13-year history of the state lottery. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The owner of a Miami gas station was among the 21 store owners and clerks who were arrested for trading cash, Lottery tickets and other items for food stamp cards, authorities reported Thursday.
Operation Cash Exchange revealed that clerks at convenience stores and gas stations used food stamp cards to make a little extra scratch for themselves.
Stores caught in the scam netted an estimated $3.5 million in food stamp fraud over the past year. More than $10,000 in cash exchanges occurred during the operation.
Included in the statewide bust was the New Horizon Store located at 1633 NW 3rd Ave. in Miami. In total, six people were arrested from Miami. The other five were employees of the Partners Meat & Fish Market, Inc.
The store owners have had their Lottery licenses revoked and face felony fraud charges.
