One of two Boston store owners charged in a $7 million Massachusetts SNAP fraud case is pleading guilty, court documents show.
Antonio Bonheur, a 74-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen from Haiti, is pleading guilty to unauthorized use, transfer, acquisition, alteration or possession of benefits, and wire fraud. According to the plea deal that was filed in federal court this week, the Mattapan man admitted to making $1 million from the alleged scheme, which he has agreed to forfeit.
Bonheur owned the Jesula Variety Store on Blue Hill Avenue and shared a storefront with 21-year-old Saul Alisme, who was also charged in the case. Alisme has pleaded not guilty.
Alleged SNAP fraud scheme
Prosecutors described the businesses as “effectively a closet with shelves and a register,” but said the small stores were pulling in up to half a million dollars in SNAP redemptions per month, which is more than a typical full-service supermarket…