Three employees of the New York City Human Resources Administration are accused of taking part in a scheme which robbed $8 million dollars from the federal food stamp program, said the New York Times.
The individuals had all either worked, or were currently working for the city, where the food stamp program was being administered. Using false names and Social Security numbers, they generated fake food stamp cards and other benefits.
Vanee Sykes initiated the scheme in 2007, State prosecutors said, and used her position in the administration to issue 1,500 food stamp benefits. Another defendant, Tori Jackson, processed the fake benefits, while a third, Lois Johnson, received thousands for her part in maintaining the post office where the fraudulent food stamp cards were sent. Johnson had worked for the administration for more than 30 years,
The defendants appeared in court on December 8th along with a fourth non-city accomplice, Alice Bradford. All four were released on bail.
Source: The New York Times