A U.S. Justice Department logo or seal showing Justice Department headquarters, known as "Main Justice," is seen behind the podium in the Department's headquarters briefing room before a news conference with the Attorney General in Washington, January 24, 2023. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)
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A Fresno baker was sentenced to three years in federal prison Monday and ordered to pay nearly $3,499,999 in restitution for defrauding the SNAP, officials said.
Jorge Luis Rivera, 56, who owned El Ranchito Bakery, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud offenses, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
Court documents show that from 2011 through August 2018, Rivera exchanged SNAP benefits for cash and accepted the benefits for unauthorized items at the request of customers. In doing so, he offered the benefits at a significant discount, generating millions in illegal profits.
Rivera’s sentence was increased after prosecutors said he directed two lower-level employees to participate in the scheme. Both employees pleaded guilty last year and were sentenced for their roles in the fraud.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chan Hee Chu and Joseph Barton prosecuted the case.
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