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2h ago

Feds Charge Four in $1 Million SNAP and PUA Scheme Tied to Leominster Restaurant

Court filings say the restaurant owner plans to plead guilty, escalating a state–federal fight over benefit data.

U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley addresses the media at a press conference in connection with an alleged fraud scheme involving SNAP benefits, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., February 3, 2026. REUTERS/Taylor Coester
U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley addresses the media at a press conference in connection with an alleged fraud scheme involving SNAP benefits, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., February 3, 2026. REUTERS/Taylor Coester
U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley addresses the media at a press conference in connection with an alleged fraud scheme involving SNAP benefits, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., February 3, 2026. REUTERS/Taylor Coester
U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley addresses the media at a press conference in connection with an alleged fraud scheme involving SNAP benefits, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., February 3, 2026. REUTERS/Taylor Coester

Overview

  • Prosecutors say 115 stolen identities were used to secure about $440,000 in SNAP benefits and more than $700,000 in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance across multiple states.
  • Food purchased with fraudulent EBT cards allegedly stocked El Primo in Leominster, and some proceeds were wired to individuals in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.
  • Rhode Island auditors detected 117 suspect SNAP applications tied to two Providence apartments in June 2024 and notified Massachusetts officials.
  • U.S. Attorney Leah Foley announced a new fraud coordinator and said there was no referral from Massachusetts, while the White House pressed Governor Maura Healey to share SNAP recipient data.
  • Defendants Raul Fernandez Vicioso, Joel Vicioso Fernandez, Roman Vequiz Fernandez, and Coralba Albarracin Siniva face conspiracy and fraud charges in federal court in Worcester.