BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — A former market owner in Buffalo has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for food stamp fraud.

U.S. Attorney William Hochul says 36-year-old Samir Hassan of Buffalo was also ordered to pay more than $192,000 in restitution.

Hassan was the owner and operator of City Market & Deli and City Market in Buffalo. Prosecutors say he directed his employees to buy food stamp benefits for less than their full value in exchange for cash.

The fraud occurred between November 2010 and August 2012.

The criminal case was developed by special agents from the Department of Agriculture.

[STORY BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]

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