South Buffalo Corner Store Clerk Facing Charges For Welfare Fraud
Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced that a clerk at a corner store in South Buffalo has been charged in connection to EBT card fraud. The 33-year-old man was arraigned on the morning of Thursday, April 13, 2022, before Buffalo City Court Judge Peter J. Savage, III. Farquan Aljabbouri is facing charges of:
One count of Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree (Class “D” felony)
One count of Criminal Use of a Public Benefit Card in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor)
One count of Misuse of Food Stamps, Food Stamp Program Coupons, Authorization Cards and Electronic Access Devices (Class “D” Felony under New York Social Services Law)
Between September 26, 2020 and April 13, 2022, Aljabbouri allegedly fraudulently used Electronic Benefits Transfer cards from customers in exchange for money. He worked as a clerk at a convenience store located on South Park Avenue close to Good Avenue in South Buffalo. Aljabbouri allegedly received over $14,000 in public assistance benefits. DA John Flynn said,
“This case is particularly concerning to me because this defendant’s alleged criminal actions exploited poor people in our community. Instead of being used to purchase food and other essential items for those who truly need help, this defendant is accused of paying people off to use their food stamp cards for his own benefit. I encourage anyone who has information on the misuse of public assistance funds to contact my office.”
The defendant will return to court on Thursday, April 28, 2022, at 9:30 am for a felony hearing. No bail was set; Aljabbouri was released on his own recognizance. If he is convicted of all the charges against him, he is facing a maximum sentence of 7 years behind bars.