Food Stamp Fraud Perpetrator Sentenced to Prison

CLEVELAND, OH - A two decade old crime finally has a resolution. Najeh Ottallah, 54, formerly of Lakewood, was ordered to repay $3.2 million to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) after he perpetrated food stamp fraud two decades ago. A judge also sentenced Ottallah to 54 months in prison.

Ottallah also has to pay $35,576 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Ottallah spent decades on the lam. He pleaded guilty in 1994 to the food stamp fraud, but fled the country. He was arrested in Jerusalem this year and brought back to face sentencing.

"This defendant ripped off taxpayers by abusing a program designed to help our most destitute," said Carole Rendon, attorney for the northern district of Ohio. "He fled the country for more than two decades and the sentence he received today reflects those actions."

Several major law enforcement agencies collaborated to eventually arrest Ottallah and bring him home for sentencing. The IRS, USDA, Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs, the US Attorney's Office and the Office of Inspector General all came together for this case.

Now, nearly 20 years after the fact, Ottallah faces the music for his massive fraud scheme.

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