Speaking of Greed

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Michigan man charged for welfare fraud

Food stamps to buy, then sell lobster and steak

Updated: Friday, 03 Jun 2011, 5:49 PM CDT

Published : Friday, 03 Jun 2011, 3:12 PM CDT

MENOMINEE, Mich. - Louis Cuff, 33, has been charged with welfare fraud for misusing hundreds of dollars of state-issued food stamps.

Cuff was arrested Wednesday but has been released on a $5,000 signature bond.

Authorities say Cuff used a Michigan-issued food stamp card to buy and then sell food items for about 50 cents-on-the-dollar.

One of the receipts from February includes six lobster tails, two porterhouse steaks and soda, totaling $141.78.

The Menominee County Sheriff's Department says anonymous tips led to a month-long joint investigation with the Michigan Department of Human Services.

While the law allows the purchase of any food item with food stamps, authorities say it is the fact they were sold that is illegal.

"Wisconsin and Michigan are both going through some tough economic time," said Lt. Greg Nast with the Menominee County Sheriff's Department. "I'm sure that's what brought this to somebody's attention. Initially people made it about the lobster and the steaks, which is not what it's about, legally."

Nast says he was told someone found the receipt near the grocery store.

Authorities say Cuff admitted to selling items purchased with food stamps on three occasions.

FOX 11 spoke to Cuff at his home, who declined comment. If convicted, he faces up to a five year prison sentence.

Nast says they are still considering charges for the three or four people they believe bought the food from Cuff.

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