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“The defendant in this case defrauded a government assistance program made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act. The program was designed to provide relief for distressed borrowers with certain Farm Service Agency direct and/or guaranteed loans and to expedite assistance for those whose agricultural operations were at financial risk. This investigation should send a message of deterrence that USDA-OIG and our law enforcement partners are committed to holding those accountable who defraud government programs,” said Charmeka Parker, Special Agent in Charge, USDA-OIG.

“This audit couldn’t be more well-timed to ensure USDA shores up its protocols around national security,” said Inspector General John Walk. “I applaud the OIG auditors who worked on this report and look forward to continuing our work across all of USDA’s 135 programs and 15 agencies and offices to address these national security vulnerabilities and ensure the safety and security of the United States.”

“USDA OIG is pleased to support the work of USDA to prevent the program failures in FDPIR that occurred in 2024 by performing its oversight function to improve program efficiency,” said Inspector General John Walk. 

“Illinois SNAP recipients were for years ripped off by this criminal who used his store, Egyptian Corner, to steal from them,” said USDA Inspector General John Walk.  “Instead of using his Food and Nutrition Administration SNAP retailer authorization to provide eligible food to needy Illinois residents, the convict took federal reimbursement for selling unlawful items and laundered SNAP benefits through other retail locations to enrich himself.  USDA OIG special agents went to work with federal partners and now he’ll do the time – 46 months in federal prison, 3 years of supervised release, $564,936.19 in restitution, and $489,936.18 forfeited.  Working with VP Vance and WH Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, USDA OIG will do the work to send fraudsters in Illinois or anywhere else to prison.” 

“The outcome of this investigation should send a message of deterrence to those individuals who choose to steal taxpayer funds for personal use. Maintaining the integrity of USDA funding remains a priority for our agency. We appreciate the partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in pursuing this type of fraud and holding bad actors accountable,” said Charmeka Parker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations – Northeast Region.