Franklin man pleads guilty to $1.6M SNAP fraud

Convenience store owner admits to defrauding federal food assistance program

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:00pm

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An extreme close-up of a crumpled SNAP benefits card reflecting a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually illustrating the abuse of this critical food assistance program.A recent SNAP fraud case exposes the need for tighter controls on government food assistance programs.Franklin Today

Nael Jabbar, the 47-year-old owner of a Milwaukee convenience store, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges related to defrauding the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) of over $1.6 million.

Why it matters

SNAP fraud can undermine public trust in the program and divert funds away from those who truly need food assistance. This case highlights the need for stronger oversight and accountability measures to prevent such large-scale abuse of government benefits.

The details

Jabbar admitted to fraudulently exchanging SNAP benefits for cash at his convenience store, rather than allowing customers to purchase eligible food items. This allowed Jabbar to pocket the SNAP funds instead of using them for their intended purpose.

  • Jabbar pleaded guilty to the charges on April 14, 2026.
  • The fraud scheme is alleged to have taken place over an unspecified period of time prior to Jabbar's guilty plea.

The players

Nael Jabbar

The 47-year-old owner of a Milwaukee convenience store who pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges related to a $1.6 million SNAP benefits fraud scheme.

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What they’re saying

“SNAP fraud undermines the integrity of this critical food assistance program and diverts resources away from families in need.”

— U.S. Attorney Gregory Haanstad, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for stronger oversight and accountability measures to prevent large-scale abuse of government food assistance programs like SNAP. Fraud can undermine public trust and divert resources away from those who truly need help putting food on the table.