U.S. Attorney Leah Foley called the fraud “shocking and glaring”
BOSTON, MA – Today, Marine Corps Veteran, successful business leader, and proven government reformer Brian Shortsleeve, Republican candidate for governor, called on Governor Maura Healey to explain the lack of SNAP oversight that resulted in $7 million in fraud. He also called upon the governor to fully cooperate with the USDA and release SNAP recipient data to ensure no more tax dollars are lost to fraud.
“Fraud helps no one. We need to ensure that our tax dollars are helping those in need, not being wasted. Healey has once again let down the people of Massachusetts,” said Shortsleeve. “The governor should be investigating her own administration for its lack of oversight and mismanagement. Just like the LaMar Cook case, this scandal shows how little insight or control Healey has over state agencies. It is time for her to fully cooperate and be transparent with the federal government by turning over SNAP recipient data. By continuing to hide this data, Healey sends a loud message that she has no respect for hard working taxpayers.”
Two convenience store owners in Boston allegedly redeemed $120,000 in SNAP benefits just in the last six months, many times more than large supermarkets in the area. U.S. Attorney Leah Foley stated that the two stores had “nowhere near the space, inventory, customers, or infrastructure to support” this volume of redemptions.