NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - A convenience store owner who stole more than $1.1 million through a food stamp scheme is now headed to prison.
Federal prosecutors say Charles Silva received a two-year sentence Wednesday. The 33-year-old Hillside resident also will forfeit $370,000 and pay $990,000 in restitution.
Silva had pleaded guilty to theft of government funds
Prosecutors say that between June 2015 and May 2016, Silva and others under his supervision illegally permitted people to redeem their food stamp benefits for cash rather than food at his Elizabeth store. Silva said the benefits were generally redeemed for about 30 cents on the dollar.
The store got $1,131,063 for illegally redeemed SNAP benefits. Silva said that shortly after receiving the funds, he transferred the money to another account which he used to pay personal expenses.
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