Wayne Couple Exchanged More Than $4M In Food Stamp Scheme: Cops

WAYNE, NJ — A township husband and wife are accused of illegally exchanging more than $4 million in food stamps for cash over the course of four years, authorities announced Monday.

Ibrahim Zughbi, 64, and his wife Miriam, 59, were each charged with defrauding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Ibrahim Zughbi was also charged with money laundering. They both appeared in Newark federal court Monday, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

The husband and wife managed Jamaica Meat Market, a Paterson grocery store, that accepted SNAP benefits from customers. Participants are prohibited from exchanging SNAP benefits for cash.

Ibrahim Zughbi previously received SNAP benefits when he owned Neighborhood Supermarket, which was located where the Jamaica Meat Market is now.

Another person took over the business and certified to the United States Department of Agriculture that Zughbi would have nothing to do with, or participate in, the SNAP program, Carpenito announced.

Authorities used a confidential source who made 16 purchases at the Jamaica Meat Market where either Zughbi, his wife or both of them exchanged money for SNAP funds, Carpenito said.

The store's bank account showed payments of more than $471,000 to Zughbi and various family members not connected ot the store, even though Zughbi is banned from participating in the SNAP program.

Each count carries a potential 20-year sentence and a $250,000 fine, or twice the pecuniary gain or loss.

The money laundering charge also carries with it a 20-year charged and a $500,000 fine, or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction.

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