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.
Client Testimonials
5
THE BEST LAWYER ANYONE COULD ASK FOR.
The BEST LAWYER ANYONE COULD ASK FOR!!! Todd changed our lives! He’s not JUST a lawyer representing us for a case. Todd and his office have become Family. When we entered his office in August of 2022, we entered with such anxiety, uncertainty, and so much stress. Honestly we were very lost. My husband and I felt alone. How could a lawyer who didn’t know us, know our family, know our background represents us, When this could change our lives for the next 5-7years that my husband was facing in Federal jail. By the time our free consultation was over with Todd, we left his office at ease. All our questions were answered and we had a sense of relief.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) affords needy families an ability to avoid hunger. If you’re a retailer who participates in SNAP, you provide a valuable service to low income residents as well as having a consistent source of income for your business.
An accusation that you have violated the laws and rules of the program, if not defended, can jeopardize the financial health and reputation of your business. This is because violations could lead to fines and disqualifications from the program. With knowledge that your store cannot accept EBT benefits, customers who rely on them will go elsewhere for their foods. Further, certain violations can lead to criminal prosecution.
If you’re accused of violating snap rules, you may need one of our lawyers to help you defend the charges.
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.
Trafficking
Trafficking stands among the most serious SNAP transgressions. Essentially, it means that you receive snap benefits from the participant for cash or other consideration.
Generally in trafficking, the snap recipient offers to sell you his or her EBT benefits. The seller can then use the cash to buy things that unavailable through the EBT card. The merchandise can include alcohol, cigarettes, electronics or other non-food items. In some cases, the selling recipient presents an air of desperation, needing the money to pay rent, catch up on bills or buy medicines.
Some retailers use the EBT cards and the associated PIN numbers to stock their stores with merchandise to be resold. Others may purchase items originally bought by clients with EBT cards, then sell them to other stores. In schemes that don’t involve the client’s participation or knowledge, certain retailers steal the EBT and the personal identification numbers (PIN).
If you’re not careful, you might catch yourself in a trafficking charge even if you’re trying to help the EBT client. In such a scenario, your customer does not have enough on the card. You agree to let the client buy now and pay later with the EBT card. This facially goodwill gesture actually violates the snap law. Funds on the EBT card can be used only for current purchases and must be used at the time of the purchase. So, if the EBT card lacks enough to complete your customer’s purchase, you can’t allow him or her to pay the difference with the EBT card on a later visit. You can allow the customer to make up the different with cash or some form of payment other than a replenished EBT card.
Selling From the Non-Approved List
As a program to help needy families buy food, snap clients can apply their benefits only for food items. Eligible food items consist of those bought for household use, such as cereals, breads, fruits, vegetables, milk, cheese, meats, butter and poultry. Sodas, cookies, candy, snack crackers and ice cream also are approved for purchase through snap.
Not all food appears on the approved list. Hot foods and those prepared for consumption at the store or other site where they are prepared cannot be purchased through snap funds. Restaurants in some areas have authority to receive snap benefits from elderly, homeless or disabled clients for low-cost meals.
As you can expect, snap funds cannot purchase alcohol or tobacco. Also, you can’t allow an EBT card to pay for personal care products, pet foods, cleaners or other household supplies, medicines, vitamins and pet foods or pet care items.
Lying On Your Application
False statements on your application to participate in SNAP also can disqualify you. Violations of this sort may include misrepresenting someone other than you as the store’s owner to hide your prior disqualification from snap or otherwise lying about previous disqualifications. Misstating the amount of your sales and the nature of your inventory can also result in your snap license being revoked.
Handling a SNAP Violation Charge
An audit of card history or an undercover purchaser/client snap violations. Someone, perhaps a customer, reports that one of your store’s employees or the manager or you tried to buy the EBT benefits that the balance disappears even though the customer hasn’t used the card. The EBT client may be facing his or her own disqualification and decides to report that you, allegedly, participated in the fraud.
When the Food Nutrition Service (FNS) or other authorized agency enforcing snap believes it has evidence that your store has violated SNAP laws, it will embark upon penalizing your through fines or disqualification from accepting EBT payments from clients. Depending on the evidence, a bar from participating in the program could last one year, three years, five years or permanently.
The Charge Letter
The enforcement starts with a snap violation letter setting for what laws or rules FNS says you’ve disobeyed.
From the date you get this “charge letter,” you have ten days to respond. One of our San Antonio snap violation attorneys can assist you in gathering the evidence to rebut the charge and fashioning the response.
If you receive a “charge letter” alleging that you have committed trafficking, you can ask FNS to impose on you a civil money penalty in place of being permanently disqualified from the snap program. FNS will consider factors such as whether your store has a policy to ensure that you and the employees comply with the snap regulations, whether and how you have or are training employees and internal review.
Of course, the seriousness and extent of the alleged trafficking play a role in whether snap will even entertain the less drastic alternative of a civil money penalty. You must provide evidence that you meet the criteria for avoiding permanent disqualification through a civil money penalty.
Review by the Agency and Courts
Once FNS reviews your reply and decides to take the disciplinary action, you have ten (10) days from the delivery or service of such a notice to ask for an administrative review of the decision. A reviewer within the USDA will take a second look.
If the administrative reviewer upholds the disqualification or penalty, you have thirty (30) days after the date that decision is delivered or served on you to ask a court to review the action. This judicial review comes in the form of a lawsuit. You can file it in federal district court or in your state court. In the lawsuit, the court will conduct a de novo, or new, trial. Our San Antonio attorneys work with you to properly file the lawsuit and prepare the evidence and arguments for trial or other hearings to reverse the fine or disqualification.
A prior disqualification from the Women, Infant and Children’s Program (WIC) on certain grounds will keep you from getting judicial review of the snap disqualification.
Make sure you take claims that you have violated snap very seriously. Once the agency starts its enforcement process, your time limits to respond will approach rapidly. Contact one of our snap violation attorneys who can help you protect your rights and your business.
