Providence Grocery Store Owner, Managers Accused Of Food Stamp Fraud

PROVIDENCE, RI — The owner of a Providence grocery store and two of its managers are facing charges in connection to a Rhode Island State Police investigation into food stamp fraud.

On Friday, state police arrested Marvin Taveras, Cassandra Diaz, and Marino Tavares, the owner and managers of M&T Supermarket in Providence.

In April, state police received a complaint from the Rhode Island Department of Administration. The complaint alleged fraudulent use of food stamps by M&T Supermarket. M&T Supermarket was incorporated by Marvin Taveras, and staffed and operated by Marino Taveras and Cassandra Diaz.

State police said a review of SNAP transaction data indicated several high dollar SNAP purchases of food items were being conducted on large online retail establishments, using various SNAP accounts. The orders were delivered to M&T Supermarket. But investigators cross-checked the identified SNAP accounts of clients and confirmed that none of them resided at 1059 Broad Street, the address of M&T Supermarket, state police said.

Marvin Taveras, Cassandra Diaz, and Marino Tavares were charged with embezzlement and fraudulent conversion, obtaining property under false pretenses, fraudulent use of credit cards, receipt of money, goods and services obtained by fraudulent use of credit cards, fraudulent use of food stamps, and conspiracy in violation of the General Laws of Rhode Island.