UPDATE: Monday, August 29, 2011

A Wichita grocery store owner has admitted his role in a food stamp scheme.

Kansas Food Market owner Ahmed Ajami Al-Maleki pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy to defraud the Agriculture Department, wire fraud and food stamp fraud.

U.S. District Judge J. Thomas Marten set sentencing for Nov. 2.

Prosecutors accused Al-Maleki of fraudulently making $130,000 in some 750 transactions involving at least 100 food stamp recipients.

The U.S. attorney's office alleges two small Wichita grocery stores typically paid people half of the value of their benefits and pocketed the difference.

Thirteen people were charged in two federal indictments in March with defrauding the government out of more than $580,000. Most have pleaded guilty.

The owners of Alnoor Grocery and Biryani House face trial in October.

Monday, August 29, 2011

A Wichita grocery store owner is expected to plead guilty for his role in a food stamp scheme.

Kansas Food Market owner Ahmed Ajami Al-Maleki is scheduled for a change-of-plea hearing Monday before U.S. District Judge J. Thomas Marten.

Prosecutors say Al-Maleki fraudulently netted $130,000 in some 750 transactions involving at least 100 food stamp recipients.

He was charged with conspiracy to defraud the Department of Agriculture, wire fraud and food stamp fraud.

Prosecutors allege two small Wichita grocery stores typically paid people half of the value of their benefits and pocketed the difference.

Thirteen people were charged in two federal indictments in March with defrauding the government out of more than $580,000. Most have pleaded guilty.

The owners of Alnoor Grocery and Biryani House face trial in October.