Two men who run neighboring micro-markets on Blue Hill Avenue in Mattapan Square – one just 150 square feet – were arrested today on federal charges they paid cash for SNAP benefits and sold rice diverted from programs trying to feed starving children in other countries.
Antonio Bonheur, 74, of Mattapan and Saul Alisme, 21, of Hyde Park, were each charged with one count of food stamp fraud.
According to court documents, the two both signed up to offer products to SNAP recipients despite the fact that their stores offered few of the types of food typically eligible for SNAP recipients. Both would accept EBT cards from customers and then pay cash for the value on the cards – less a significant fee…