Upstate NY Fish Owner Headed To Prison For Food Stamp Fraud

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — A 62-year-old upstate New York fish store owner has been sentenced to one year in prison for his role in a food stamp fraud operation that bilked the government of more than $1 million.

Irving Feldman, of Pittsford, also was ordered Wednesday to pay nearly $730,000 in restitution.

Feldman was authorized to accept and redeem food stamps at his market in Rochester, but over a five-year period he illegally used cash to purchase food stamp benefits for less than half their full value from eligible beneficiaries. Retailers are prohibited from exchanging cash for food stamps.

Authorities said the illegitimate transactions totaled approximately $1.2 million. An additional scheme netted just over $202,000.