YOU MAY HAVE SEEN TODD SPODEK ON THE NETFLIX SHOW INVENTING ANNA
When you’re facing a federal issue, you need an attorney whose going to be available 24/7 to help you get the results and outcome you need. The value of working with the Spodek Law Group is that we treat each and every client like a member of our family.
New York State Food Stamp Crimes
Food stamps are an excellent program that help the poor stretch their dollars further. There have been many successful stories of people who have been able to get off food stamps and be a productive member in society, giving back to the system that helped them with whatever they needed. The average food stamp cardholder can get anywhere from $16 to $190 from the government. Someone who has a family has the potential to get even more in food stamps, depending on their situation.
What are the Requirements for Getting Food Stamps?
Food stamp recipients must meet an income requirement. Attempting to get around the income requirement by hiding money can be considered illegal.
While food stamps are supposed to help the poor, and in many cases do help those who are poor get on a track to better life, there are those who obtain food stamps who do not need the program, or who abuse the program to their benefits. There are several different ways someone can abuse the program, and each way that someone abuses the program has slightly different consequences.
If you are looking for a lawyer that listens, is aggressive where needed, and holds his word above all else, Todd is the best pick. I had hired multiple attorneys prior to hiring the Spodek Group for a white collar case. The first thing that stood out to me was the cost, as anyone going through the process and dealing with the system, money was tight at that time - especially after hiring and firing multiple lawyers. The cost was not as high as others which was definitely a plus. Todd's intake process was also unlike other attorneys. He took the time to actually listen. He cared. He was trying to put himself in my shoes while I was explaining the situation to him and he really took the time to understand the whole situation. Other lawyers will give you 15 mins and send you a retainer agreement. Not Todd, I think he spent almost two hours with me as I was explaining everything.Not only was he great during the onboarding process, he was supportive and very informative through the entire plea process and eventually sentencing. After hiring him, I asked if I should hire a prison consultant, he told me to save my money as he would do everything they would. He was right and held up to his word. Later on I would hear from others that went with the prison consultants that they were a waste of money - I am glad I listened to Todd!When it came time for sentencing, two days prior to sentencing, the prosecutor tried increasing my proposed prison time by almost double - apparently a normal move. Todd and his team worked with me non-stop through the weekend prior to sentencing to ensure that I was not given additional prison time. Again, he took the time to listen and came up with a strategy to explain the case with great detail.Unfortunately, I did plead guilty as that was my best option. Todd and his whole team wrote up nearly 300 pages of a summary of what happened and why I should not be given prison time. If I breakdown the amount I spent with Todd versus the amount of work that I saw being done, I am shocked I was not charged four times as much. The other benefit was, a lot of criminal defense lawyers were just a single attorney with a paralegal or two. Todd had a team of people that I dealt with (5-7 people that I interacted with), but he was ALWAYS accessible. It would never take him more than an hour to reply unless he was in court.I was sentenced to prison and I was emotionally distraught. Todd and his team did whatever they could even after sentencing to make sure I was alright. He personally stayed in touch with my family to ensure I was doing alright and offered support to them. Most lawyers would consider the job complete at sentencing, not Todd.After prison, Todd still spent time with me to make sure I was on the right track and avoiding any potential risks in the future. He has also been giving advice on how to navigate probation etc and has not been looking at the clock for billing.Although I wish I had never been arrested in the first place, I am glad I had Todd and his team in my corner. Without them I likely would have had to spend a lot more time in prison than I did.Thank you, Todd, and the entire Spodek Law team, for helping turn what was a nightmare into a manageable situation!
I am immensely grateful to the entire team at Spodek Law Group for their unwavering dedication and exceptional expertise throughout my case. From our initial consultation to the final resolution, their professionalism and tireless advocacy made all the difference. Their strategic approach and attention to detail instilled confidence in me every step of the way.Thanks to their hard work and commitment, we achieved a truly favorable outcome that exceeded my expectations. Not only did they navigate the complexities of my case with precision, but they also provided invaluable support and guidance during what was undoubtedly a challenging time. I cannot recommend Spodek Law Group highly enough, especially attorneys Todd Spodek and Claire Banks; they are beacons of excellence in the legal profession.YSP.
Todd, Ralph and Alex are amazing. Helped my husband get from a double digit number with multiple charges to a single digit, by the time I blink he will be out. They very professional and help with all your needs. They dealt with my anxiety and worry very well and they understand that your family member needs to get home as soon as possible.
Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.
I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence.Thank you team!
I recently had Spodek Law Group represent me for a legal matter in NYC and I am thoroughly impressed with their services.Alex Zhik secured the best possible outcome for my case.It was a seamless journey from the initial consultation to the resolution of my legal matter. From the moment I spoke to Todd about my case, his enthusiasm to help was evident, setting a positive tone for the entire experience. The efficiency and professionalism displayed by the team is commendable.A particularly noteworthy aspect of their service is their user-friendly portal to upload your documents/evidence. This not only simplified the process, but showcases their commitment to streamline the client experience.Lastly, in an industry where legal fees can often be a concern, I found their pricing to be very reasonable, making needing legal assistance feel accessible and stress-free.I am grateful for their support and wouldn't hesitate to turn to them again in the future.
It’s not just the poor who abuse the program, businesses have been guilty of committing food stamp fraud as well. Whether their version of the fraud is letting someone buy things they shouldn’t on food stamps, or accepting a food stamp payment for a utility, this is a crime too.
Food Stamp Crimes: Recipients
There are many different crimes that recipients of food stamps can be convicted of if they misuse or mishandle their food stamps.
There are different consequences for each crime and the severity and offense of the crime. Sometimes, people aren’t aware it’s against the law to sell and trade their food stamps; however not being aware of the law doesn’t mean that it’s okay. There are several things that people can’t do if they have a food stamp card:
* Buy things on their food stamp card for other people in exchange for goods, services, or other momentary value. Monetary value includes getting cards in exchange, even if it’s a food card like Subway. While many people think they might just be at risk of losing their food stamps, the truth is that there are even more charges that one can face. In addition to being charged with a crime, someone might not be allowed to ever obtain benefits again, even if they need them.
* Obtain food stamp value for a trade. This means that even if you’re the one getting the card, you can still get in trouble for it. Do not accept any food stamps in return for payment for anything. This can be called “food stamp trafficking”, and you and the person who you are helping out can both get into legal trouble because of this.
You can read more here about potential different charges that you can face. Make sure to take care to use your food stamp card carefully. If you are convicted of food stamp fraud, it will likely make it so that you cannot get food stamps from any state.
Different Crimes for Businesses
There are many food stamp crimes that businesses can face. One crime that businesses can be guilty of is buying food stamps for cash. This means that businesses will “buy” food stamps for a certain percentage on the dollar, which varies per business. Doing this is a crime that can cause a business to loose its license and be prosecuted.
Businesses can also be guilty of a crime if:
* They allow people to trade food stamps for items (soap, cigarettes, beer)
* They allow someone to sell them food stamps and give that person cash or a gift card
* They accept food stamps for hot food as disallowed by the state
Recent Food Stamp Crimes
Now that you know what is a crime and what isn’t, here are some recent crimes that have happened:
– A crime in which 16 people had charges pressed against them. A big shop had been buying food stamp money. They had been giving people .80 cents cash for $1.00 of food stamps. While this could be seen as a “good deal” for both parties, it is against the law and carries a hefty fine and a possible prison sentence. You can read more about the case and information here.
– A crime in which a store owner paid recipients 50% of what the stamps were worth in cash. The storeowener who committed a crime had a bond set at two million dollars. You can read more about the story here.
Most of the people who make the news about food stamp fraud are businesses owners, not recipients of food stamps. However, that doesn’t mean that people who are recipients can’t get arrested for food stamp fraud.
How often is food stamp fraud prosecuted?
It depends on the state, but most people think that the answer is ‘not enough.’ Food stamp fraud is costly for everyone involved. It gives those who are using their food stamps legitimately a bad name, and those who do commit food stamp crime can have their lives ruined. If someone has been arrested for committing fraud, they should see a lawyer experienced in the issue.
Welfare Fraud
There are more different types of fraud than just food stamp fraud. There are many different government programs, such as social security, social security disability, and other programs. Each program has its own definition for what constitutes fraud.
Conclusion
If you receive food stamps, and are facing a food stamp fraud charge, you are at risk of loosing not only your food stamps, but facing criminal or civil charges as well. Call a lawyer right away. Many have payment plans and will be able to help represent you for free.
All programs have potential for fraud, and all fraud can face hefty criminal charges. If you are facing food stamp fraud charges, you should call a lawyer as soon as possible. Many lawyers have payment plans and are very affordable. Get someone to work for you.
