One convenience store in Cleveland is accused of trafficking more than $14,000 in food stamp benefits. It is one of 19 stores in Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus that federal and Ohio investigators sent formal violation notices on June 3 and 4, 2026.
The notices start an enforcement process. They are not findings that the stores broke the law.
What investigators say the stores did
The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Administration and the Ohio Investigative Unit, part of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, announced the action on June 5. They worked with the USDA Office of Inspector General. According to the USDA release, the retailers are accused of exchanging SNAP benefits for cash, alcohol, tobacco and other items the program does not allow…