A Pittsburgh woman must pay nearly $55,000 in restitution following her conviction for food stamp fraud at her African food market in East Pittsburgh.
Bolaji Michael, 46, pleaded guilty in October to one count of food stamp fraud. On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Marilyn J. Horan ordered her to serve two years probation with the first 90 days on home detention.
According to investigators, Michael owned Atobabs African International Market on Linden Avenue in East Pittsburgh.
Prosecutors said Michael knowingly allowed customers to exchange their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamp, benefits for cash.
“SNAP benefits may only be used to purchase eligible food items and cannot be exchanged for cash,” prosecutors said.
She also authorized other employees at her store to do the same.
“Food stamp fraud undermines the integrity of government financial programs, deprives eligible individuals of necessary funds and can lead to significant financial losses for food suppliers and store,” the government wrote in a sentencing brief.
According to Michael’s sentencing memo to the court, she is a naturalized U.S. citizen from Nigeria. She was driven to commit the crime, her attorney wrote, because of financial strain following her husband’s death. She has three children.
Several community members submitted letters of support on Michael’s behalf, describing her as a hardworking, kind and compassionate woman whose store provides familiar foods and a sense of belonging to its customers.