We now know why Maura Healey has been so adamant in her decision not to turn over SNAP information to the Federal Government for audit. In mid-December US Attorney Leah Foley announced charges against Antonio Bonheur of Mattapan and Saul Alisme of Hyde Park for $7 million dollar food stamp fraud scam. Bonheur, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Haiti was the owner of Jesula Variety, a 150SF variety store.
Alisme, a legal permanent resident alien from Haiti, operated a 500SF establishment. Despite the tiny size of these operations, they were pulling in SNAP redemptions of $100,000-$500,000 per MONTH!
By comparison, a full-service supermarket in the same area redeems about $82,000/month according to Foley…