Posted on Tue, Feb. 9, 2010
The owner of a Gloucester County convenience store and two employees were sentenced to prison yesterday for stealing more than $280,000 from the federal food-stamp program.
Mehal Mothon, 48, of Berlin, who owned the Westville Citgo Food Mart, received an 18-month sentence from U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez.
Cousins Palwinder Singh, 30, of Buena Vista, and Lakhwinder Singh, 42, of Cherry Hill, were sentenced to 15 months and 12 months. The three must also make restitution of $283,350.
On Nov. 5, 2009, the men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to embezzle from the food-stamp program. Between July 2007 and March 2009, Mothon illegally exchanged benefits for cash and instructed employees how to make the exchanges, according to authorities. In return, the employees took a 50 percent fee. - Barbara Boyer
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