Photo by John Bruce
Four Ventura County retailers have been permanently disqualified from accepting food stamps because of fraud, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which runs the $75 billion-a-year program that assists 46.2 million Americans.
There is no indication that any of the banned retailers are accepting food stamps at other locations under different names, according to the USDA, which declined to identify them, citing privacy rights.
The retailers operate a 7-Eleven at 1955 Patterson Road in Oxnard, disqualified in December 2006; Ray's R&R Market at 443 Ojai Road in Santa Paula, also disqualified in December 2006; Sam's Liquor at 2395 Tapo Street in Simi Valley, disqualified in May 2009; and Sanchez Grocery and Liquor at 4030 E. Center St. in Piru, disqualified in March.
The retailers were banned from the food-stamp program — known formally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP — for trafficking, which is the agriculture department's term for redeeming food stamps for cash, officials said.
The trafficking sanction at three of the stores was based on improper transactions involving food-stamp recipients, the USDA said. The sanction at the fourth store resulted from an undercover investigation.
Trafficking is by far the most common reason retailers are kicked out of the program, the department said, noting that since October 2007, 99.7 percent of stores permanently disqualified were for that violation.
Retailers who run the scam encourage food-stamp recipients to trade their benefits for cash or ineligible merchandise — particularly alcohol or tobacco — at an exchange rate favoring the store.
Tom Asfour, who owns Ray's in Santa Paula, said Thursday he was banned from the program because an employee accepted food stamps for alcohol. He said he believes it was beer.
A man who identified himself as the owner of Sanchez Grocery and Liquor in Piru said he was banned from the program because one of his employees also accepted food stamps for alcohol. The man said his first name was Gustavo but hesitated to give his last name. Pressed, he said it was Smith. According to Ventura County records, the last time Sanchez Grocery had a business license was in the 2003-04 fiscal year. At that time, the owner was listed as Santiago Sanchez. A county official said Friday that he would be looking into the status of the business.
Sunny Singh, a clerk at the Oxnard 7-Eleven, said the owner was out of the country and unavailable for comment. Singh said he has worked at the store only for about a year and was not familiar with why it was disqualified in 2006.
"A lot of customers ask if we take food stamps, but we have to say no," he said.
The owner of Sam's Liquor did not return a call seeking comment. According to Simi Valley records, the apparent owner is Pawandeep Singh, the name listed on the store's current business license. It is not known if he is related to Sunny Singh.
A Scripps Howard News Service investigation has found records indicating that many individuals who have been banned as food-stamp vendors around the country remained in the business. Public records suggest that some are brazen enough to reapply to deal in food stamps, sometimes from the same location at which they were caught committing fraud.
One of the Ventura County disqualified retailers has recently applied to be a food-stamp vendor at a different location but was rejected because of his permanent disqualification status, USDA officials said.
Another of the disqualified owners — involved in the Sanchez Grocery and Ray's — has been a long-standing partner in an authorized food-stamp retail operation elsewhere in California with no violations, the USDA said.
Disqualified food stamp vendors
| Name | Status | Date | Address |
| 7-Eleven #20014 D | Permanently disqualified | 12-1-2006 | 1955 Patterson Rd., Oxnard, CA |
| Sam's Liquor | Permanently disqualified | 5-13-2009 | 2395 Tapo St., Simi Valley, CA |
| Sanchez Grocery and Liquor #2 | Permanently disqualified | 3-7-2011 | 4030 E Center St., Piru, CA |
| Ray's R & R Market | Permanently disqualified | 12-1-2006 | 443 Ojai Rd., Santa Paula, CA |
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Comments » 47
carthomas7 writes:
lol
there is this stupid argument that those who get entitlements VOTE blue
Most of these people are unable to keep a job do not register let alone vote and are UNDER REPRESENTED in the elections
2BRNOT2B writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
cagal writes:
The same energy needs to be put into identifying fraudulent welfare recipients and cutting off their funds.
Adam_1 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
asilman73 writes:
No surprise, I mentioned something about this going on in Santa Paula months ago on an unreated thread and was called a racist. As a Gabacho that Speaks Spanish, I hear all sorts of things, by the way, would a racist bother to learn the launguage of the culture he is supposed to be bigoted against? I never saw a store Pandering to a customer to buy booze on their food stamp card, but plenty of times the customer arguing long and hard and the store giving in, and at times not much of an argument.Stupid white guy has no idea what we are talking about is the attitude they had, so how could we get caught? The next level would be a HUGE fine to these stores and maybe some jail time if they do not turn in the dirt bags buying booze on their cards, so they can be taken off the gravy train.
jstmyopn writes:
I think you have it backwards my angry friend.
ExtremelyReasonableCitizen writes:
Amazing. Now Obama is credited with the food stamps program. And someone in here can turn any topic into an "illegal alien" problem. The store committed fraud and was caught ..."Darn that Obama and those illegals!"
cjr writes:
I watched a family in Vons last week buying items with the food credit card. A woman, a man and three kids all of whom were conversing in spanish. They got in a new Toyota van when they exited the store and the man drove it away. The thought that flitted through my mind was how a family who were on "food stamps" could afford a new Toyota van.
jjohnjj writes:
Look at the map. There must be 150 stores in the county that take food stamps. Enforcement actions against four of them should be seen as a sign of the program's success, not its failure.
The bad thing is that many people who receive assistance don't have easy access to a Vons or a Ralphs. The a-holes who abuse the system have just made life more difficult for the elderly and the disabled in their neighborhoods.
DSander writes:
Um, did it ever occur that maybe the guy "was" working, and lost his job, and "now" needs a hand up for his family. Many families on assistance get aid for less than two years...and the rest are seniors & handicapped/disabled. I hear people putting down the programs all the time, until they need it one day. And you never know when that day will come...when will you get injured and be off work, on disability or unemployment, trying to feed your family. Or, many of the people complaining the loudest, they don't even rate a friggin family and don't know how hard it is to take care of one...especially for women where the deadbeat dads just took off and flaked on responsibility. It's pretty easy to spout a bunch of crap out of your mouth with no knowlege or facts...it's a little harder to be an actual human being. (it requires an open mind that can see past the same sh_ _ everyone spouts, and often actually being involved in other people's lives to see how they live)
horsespinner#218774 writes:
I was shopping at a low price store for many straight weeks. At the express checkout I watched as all the people in the lines near by had their purchases split into two separate groups. They proceeded to pay for the first with their US "credit card" and then the second was paid by cash or a real bank card. You could easily tell which groceries were covered by taxpayers. The amazing thing was not the items purchased, it was the fact that I was the only one without the US issued "credit card".
Traditional writes:
I have a member of my household who works at a major grocery outlet that takes "food stamps" and I have a family member who works for food service in a local school district.
The amount of fraud and abuse that exists in these programs (free lunches, WIC, etc.) is extensive. People have learned to game the system, cheat, and especially to make lifestyle choices that allow them to maximize on government handouts.
It is good to care about the truly needed. Unfortunately, we have become a society of the lazy and of cheaters. We have been raising kids to be cheaters and not take responsibility for themselves. In addition to addressing the fraud, we need a MAJOR cultural shift.
BeachPeach writes:
Gustavo... Smith? LOL
Oneolddude writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
HerbieVerstinx writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
5thgenvcresident writes:
Great. Now where will the Tea Party supporters who live off government welfare while strongly opposing it receive their food?
gma1950 writes:
I agree with you, I see where there was only one is Simi, I happen to know there are a lot more, but these kids, yes even 18 yrs olds applying for food stamps even when they live with their parents, and not buying Alcohol, and others who have the food card are exchanging $60.00 dollars to the retailer for $30.00 cash so they can buy 'drugs', yes drugs. its a money making scam for the owners 60 for 30, even 80 for a carton of cigs. They need to be fined and go to jail.
gma1950 writes:
In response to the article when stated "due to privacy issues" they are not giving their names, they are committing a crime, and last I looked criminals have no rights, even ones arrested and not found guilty yet they plaster everything about them in the news, internet etc. This should be made public. As stated in my answer to asilman73, some are exchanging $60 for $30 cash knowing these people are buying drugs, in my book, that makes them a drug dealer, and a fraud.
My2Cents writes:
I'm glad that there was an investigation on these stores! Wouldn't it be great if the recipients would be investigated to determine, whom if any (roll eyes), are abusing the system. Shame on them.
rebel123 writes:
And your point is.... what? Here are some actual facts as opposed to your anecdotal tale:
–Food stamps may be emerging as a lifeline for families after their unemployment insurance expired. Just 6.7% of households who received food stamps were getting jobless benefits.
– Nearly half of all food-stamp recipients, 47%, were children under the age of 18. Another 8% of recipients were age 60 or older.
– Whites made up the largest share of food stamp households, 35.7%. Some 22% of households receiving food stamps were counted as African American and 10% were Hispanic.
–U.S. born citizens made up the majority, 94%, of food stamp households.
Check out the full article here: http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2011/0...
Perhaps the thought that should have "flitted through your mind" was that you have no clue what any particular family is facing or what circumstances put them where they are today. The fact that you deemed it necessary to mention they were carrying on a conversation in Spanish only further clouds your judgement in my mind.
bruceski44#277174 writes:
If there was fraud, why were there no criminal charges filed?
I'm telling you: big government cannot solve problems. Big government causes problems!
manchu49 writes:
Yup, Big government causes too many problems. Especially useless wars that kill our children in vain.
AztlanAngel writes:
This problemo would go away if they just let peoples use the foods stamps for anything in the store. Rich people buy alchohol, why not the poor? Why should one group of peoples have the right to drink and have fun but not another? Everyone complaining about this is probably drinking a big 40 ounce cerveza when they are typing in their comments...
aka1 writes:
Wow! I find your ignorant, racist "poem" extremely offensive. The world would be a much better place if people thought before they spoke.
rebel123 writes:
That you applaud such clearly racist posting says everything about you.
rebel123 writes:
Your comment is so very uncalled for. Please, do tell.. just what exactly has Michelle Obama done to warrant your ugly comment and such disrespect? Are you saying she's a cow? How very decorous of you. It doesn't take much intelligence or cleverness to resort to school yard name calling. Were you equally as disrespectful toward other first ladies, or just this one? As to "Obama stamps" the food stamp program was started first in 1939 then reinstated in 1961. Please enlighten us... why do you choose to call them Obama stamps? I would really like to know. Or perhaps you're just in the habit of posting inflammatory rhetoric that flies in the face of logic or reason? I posted these FACTS earlier and will post them again. Perhaps FACTS are not what you're looking for though in your goal to insult the first family. Are you going after their kids next?
http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2011/0...
–Food stamps may be emerging as a lifeline for families after their unemployment insurance expired. Just 6.7% of households who received food stamps were getting jobless benefits.
– Nearly half of all food-stamp recipients, 47%, were children under the age of 18. Another 8% of recipients were age 60 or older.
– Whites made up the largest share of food stamp households, 35.7%. Some 22% of households receiving food stamps were counted as African American and 10% were Hispanic.
–U.S. born citizens made up the majority, 94%, of food stamp households.
rebel123 writes:
Example of this, please? "Ugly comments" seem to be coming from the "anti" illegal camp. Though how you can group people as "pro illegal" for expecting civility and factual responses is a mystery.
Traditional writes:
And your point is?
Fortunately or unfortuantely, your data do not make an argument one way or another.
As I have shared over the months, here is the game people play. The mother/father are not married. The mother claims the children, collecting welfare, aid to dependent children, WIC, and the free lunch program. If someone dares to investigate, she is a single parent. The father has a well-paying job. The mother drives a nice new care due to the father's well-paying jobs. My relatives witness this DAILY in the store and in the school district where they work.
And, BTW, the census bureau recently released that 42% of all kids born now are born in single-parent households. This is not only a moral travesty, it is an incredible scam that is costing us billions. It is fraud.
talasmom writes:
Totally agree with you Bill:)
kramer writes:
With out a doubt the lamest comment Iv'e ever read on this site. If I was drinking a 40 ounce it would not be a cerveza, it would be a beer. Thats what we call it here in AMERICA.
rhwoddl2 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
1ndependenT writes:
The Gov and the system are a disgrace. It seems like the Gov and politicans are Americas worst enemies. Go cruise around down in them section 8 areas. You would be very amazed on S.U.Vs, Benz etc parked in there drive ways. Nothing wrong with getting help for a few months to pick your back up. But using and abusing the system and turn that check into a reg work check when there are other people in need. Is a complete disgrace to humanity.
1ndependenT writes:
What does mexicans etc have anything to do with this problem. People are so ignorant now a days. The real problem is the Gov. and these corrupt rich i dont care as long as it aint happening to me Politicians we have to worry about instead of all this hate society trys to put on a group of people. Wake up and Educate yourselfs.
1ndependenT writes:
Whos fault is it? From reading your ignorant poem. Its your white mans gov and rich white man corrupt Politicans fault. Stop with the hate blame game. Like you are the chosen ones and the perfect society and pieacefull people. Look at history if you want to go that route. Educate yourself. Its really sad to see how ignorant and how easyily people can be brainwashed to hate, hate, hate. Ill be praying for you.
rebel123 writes:
So apparently you have a live stream of what Michelle Obama eats? Why are you so angry that Michelle Obama is behind healthy eating habits? You'd likely also be the first one to complain that fat people are costing us all in increased health insurance premiums. Food stamps have been around since long before Obama was born. You're sounding more ignorant than usual. Your need to insult the first lady is telling. Did you use such insulting language about previous first ladies or is this saved for her alone? When do you start on their kids? Your comment is as ignorant as it is uncalled for and rude.
horsespinner#218774 writes:
So you do not believe that the people who participated in the Pozzi scheme their entire life should be able to collect? They are waiting for their money that was taxed when taken, put into a pretend trust fund that Nancy and Harry use as a piggy bank. But they will die before the most of money is ever paid back and their heirs will get none of it.
WiggleRoom writes:
This is really an absurd comment. You really believe this?
biolab writes:
$75 billion / $450 million is 1.6 million per person ???? Is my math off ?
LiketoRead writes:
"$75 billion-a-year program that assists 46.2 million Americans."
Wow, 46.2 million people do not know how to feed themselves. Must be hard to live in America. Or not.
Green_Dream writes:
Some of these comments are full of hate and ignorance. Not everyone that is on food stamps are Hispanic, or trying to.cheat The system. Many people are still without work, and the mere fact that they use food stamps doesn't mean their taking advantage of the system. If you had small.children and no job you too would seek to find some sort of.help. I was unemployed for almost a whole year, and yet I have a college degree. So would you say that I am taking advantage of the system if I collected unemployment? All I am stating here is hate and racism are alive and well in our county, I only hope you have to be unemployed or need to collect food stamps, maybe then you would see its not always bad people using these vital resources.
1ndependenT writes:
Agreed, The ignorance is so funny. How quick certain people are point the finger at hispanics and illegals and mexico this and that, haha.
The Truth is the media is a hate machine that like to twist things around for whatever agenda they tend to try to push.
The Trush The Gov and these rich politicians we elect in office etc are the ones to blame. Why, isnt the border fixed. Why, is there so much drungs coming. Why, are we giving out food stamps etc. Why are multi-millionairs and Billionairs paying 15% in Taxes and The middle class and below paying around 30%. I could keep going.
WAKE UP AMERICA. WE ARE SLAVES TO THE RICH AND POWERFUL. THEY DONT CARE. AS LONG AS NOTHING IS HAPPENING TO THEM. THE REAL QUESTION IS WHAT IS THE ANSWEAR. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOREVER. THIS IS THE WORST I HAVE EVER SCENE. YOU CAN SMELL IT IN THE AIR. THHINGS ARE CHANGING FOR THE WORSE. ITS SCARY.
1ndependenT writes:
CORRUPTION IS VERY REAL. DO YOUR RESEARCH AND BECAREFUL. THINGS ARE CHANGING OUT THERE. ITS BECOMING A MELTING POT READY TO EXPLODE.
Green_Dream writes:
Thank you for agreeing with what I stated, but I am not trying to make this a "party" issue. The fact is so many people are misinformed and lack to see things clearly and that can be said for both parties.
1ndependenT writes:
I agree with you. Im not making this a party issue. Everything that is happening is because of the Gov and rich policians and the media spin machine and of course Ignorance. Trying to catagorize and blame a certain group of people for everything. Its 2012 and you can cutt the tension in the air. Its becoming a melting pot ready to explode.
xsusus writes:
The same effort needs to be applied to Wall Street cutting off funding to already rich people who game the system.
DefendTheConstitution writes:
Using food stamps at liquor stores? 7-elevens? How bout making these "stamps" only redeemable at a Vons, Ralphs or Albertson's.
BOB_LABLAW writes:
The madder you get, the worse your grammar becomes. You were almost coherent there for a bit, but finally fell apart.
You probably need to take a "drung" so that your head doesn't assplode.
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