OHIO — Five men have been charged in connection with an alleged conspiracy to steal nearly $1 million in food assistance benefits from low-income individuals in Ohio and California, according to federal authorities.
The U.S. Department of Justice said a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Constantin Eugen Ion, 44; Valentin Velicu, 50; Dragos Georghie Vasile, 46; Marian Alexandru Semplican, 23; and Ionut Ilie, 44. Investigators said the men are all citizens of Romania and used multiple aliases.
Prosecutors allege the group targeted the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides benefits to help eligible individuals and families purchase food. In Ohio, those benefits are distributed through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards…