212-300-5196

Service & Results.

nyc criminal lawyers over 30 years of experienceWe Know How To Win Cases

Spodek Law Group handles tough cases
nationwide, that demand excellence.

Get Free Consultation

Faced 5+ Years in Prison

People Vs Joseph Amico

Covered by NYDaily News. Las Vegas man accused of threatening a prominent attorney and making vile remarks.

Faced 10+ Years in Prison

People Vs. Anna Sorokin

Covered by New York Times, and other outlets. Fake heiress accused of conning the city’s wealthy, and has an HBO special being made about her.

Faced 3+ Years in Prison

People Vs. Genevieve Sabourin

Accused of stalking Alec Baldwin. The case garnered nationwide attention, with USAToday, NYPost, and other media outlets following it closely.

Faced Potential Charges

Ghislaine Maxwell Juror

Juror who prompted calls for new Ghislaine Maxwell trial turns to lawyer who defended Anna Sorokin.

Why Choose Us

Clients can use our portal to track the status of their case, stay in touch with us, upload documents, and more.

Regardless of the type of situation you're facing, our attorneys are here to help you get quality representation.

We can setup consultations in person, over Zoom, or over the phone to help you. Bottom line, we're here to help you win your case.

Spodek
Law in the Media

View All

Meet Todd Spodek

WE PROVIDE WHITE GLOVE SERVICE TO CLIENTS
WHO WANT MORE FROM THEIR ATTORNEY

The Spodek Law Group understands how delicate high-profile cases can be, and has a strong track record of getting positive outcomes. Our lawyers service a clientele that is nationwide. With offices in both LA and NYC, and cases all across the country - Spodek Law Group is a top tier law firm.

Todd Spodek is a second generation attorney with immense experience. He has many years of experience handling 100’s of tough and hard to win trials. He’s been featured on major news outlets, such as New York Post, Newsweek, Fox 5 New York, South China Morning Post, Insider.com, and many others.

In 2022, Netflix released a series about one of Todd’s clients: Anna Delvey/Anna Sorokin.

Why Clients Choose Spodek Law Group

The reason is simple: clients want white glove service, and lawyers who can win. Every single client who works with the Spodek Law Group is aware that the attorney they hire could drastically change the outcome of their case. Hiring the Spodek Law Group means you’re taking your future seriously. Our lawyers handle cases nationwide, ranging from NYC to LA. Our philosophy is fair and simple: our nyc criminal lawyers only take on clients who we know will benefit from our services.

We’re selective about the clients we work with, and only take on cases we know align with our experience – and where we can make a difference. This is different from other law firms who are not invested in your success nor care about your outcome.

If you have a legal issue, call us for a consultation.
We are available 24/7, to help you with any – and all, challenges you face.

SNAP Trafficking Charge Letter

By Spodek Law Group | June 24, 2021
(Last Updated On: July 28, 2023)

Last Updated on: 28th July 2023, 07:18 pm

How Spodek Law Group Can Help You Respond to a SNAP Trafficking Charge Letter

As a retailer in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), you have the opportunity to service low-income customers, which can be an essential part of your business. However, selling to SNAP recipients comes with important legal duties designed to keep fraud out of the government benefits program. These obligations extend to your managers and all of your staff members, and if anyone in your business gets caught committing acts of fraud, the government may mail you a “trafficking Charge Letter.”

A trafficking Charge Letter can be alarming, but responding to it promptly and properly is paramount. The Charge Letter shows up when agents of the Food Nutrition Service (FNS) or the state agency find that you have violated SNAP rules, and the FNS often employs undercover purchasers to gather information on which to base their charges.

Trafficking can happen in various ways, including purchasing EBT benefits from your customers or using a recipient’s EBT card to purchase inventory and then reselling those items to other stores or customers. In some trafficking exchanges, a SNAP beneficiary may offer to sell you their benefits in exchange for firearms, bullets, or illicit drugs. It’s important to note that grocers can permanently lose their ability to receive EBT benefits for participating in trafficking.

If you’ve received a Trafficking Charge Letter, it’s critical to respond appropriately. The letter will inform you of your options, which may include paying a civil monetary penalty instead of being permanently disqualified from the SNAP program altogether. You have just ten (10) days from the date of delivery of the letter to ask the FNS to impose the less drastic alternative. If you don’t reply at all, you waive your right to choose.

Our experienced SNAP violation lawyers at Spodek Law Group can assist you in collecting the necessary evidence so you can meet the criteria for avoiding permanent disqualification. We can help you demonstrate that you’ve created a culture of obedience to SNAP legislation in your business, including implementing policies for handling SNAP benefits, correcting mistakes or violations, and reviewing EBT transactions.

To be eligible for the penalty option in lieu of disqualification, you need to show the FNS that you took steps to train your staff about SNAP rules, including detailed written instructions against accepting EBT benefits for firearms, ammunition, or controlled substances. Documentation of your training programs or education is crucial, including logs showing that your employees were trained on SNAP rules before the violation occurred.

If you’re facing a Trafficking Charge Letter, don’t wait to take action. Our SNAP violation lawyers can help you navigate through this process and respond appropriately to protect your business. Contact Spodek Law Group and Attorney Todd Spodek for help with your SNAP trafficking case.

What to Expect After Responding to a SNAP Trafficking Charge Letter

After you’ve responded to a Trafficking Charge Letter, the FNS will decide whether to move forward with permanent disqualification or charge you the monetary fine instead. If they opt for the former, your disqualification takes effect right away, and you won’t be able to participate in SNAP even if you go through with an appeal through administrative or judicial review.

In the event that either forum yields a reversal of the disqualification, FNS does not reimburse you for the sales you lost during the review period. On the other hand, if you are eligible for the civil monetary penalty and you appeal the trafficking charges, you may continue to receive EBT funds for your customers’ purchases until the reviews are complete.

If the FNS reviewer maintains that you should be disqualified or should be subject to other penalties for trafficking, your next option is judicial review. You must request this by filing a lawsuit in state court or federal district court within thirty (30) days after the reviewer’s decision is served on you. Our lawyers can help you start the lawsuit and prepare for the trial.

A Trafficking Charge Letter for SNAP is an extremely grave threat to your business, and the deadlines to act run quickly and require prompt, thorough, and decisive action on your part. It’s essential to have experienced legal counsel who understands the law and can help you navigate through this complex process.

At Spodek Law Group, we have the experience and knowledge to handle your SNAP trafficking case. We understand the policies, standards for compliance, and compliance training required for SNAP retailers. We can help you build a culture of obedience to SNAP legislation in your business, including implementing policies for handling SNAP benefits, correcting mistakes or violations, and reviewing EBT transactions.

Our lawyers will work with you to collect the necessary evidence to meet the criteria for avoiding permanent disqualification. We’ll help you document your store policies for handling SNAP benefits, including what you do to correct mistakes or violations, and the procedures you have in place for internally reviewing EBT transactions.

We’ll also help you demonstrate that you’ve taken steps to train your staff about SNAP rules, including your managers and all of your employees whose position and duties include handling EBT cards, such as cashiers. Our lawyers can assist you in appealing the trafficking charges and preparing for the trial.

If you’ve received a Trafficking Charge Letter for SNAP, don’t hesitate to contact Spodek Law Group and Attorney Todd Spodek for help. We’ll guide you through this process and protect your business’s best interests.

Free Consultation

Testimonials

I was searching for a law firm with some power to help me deal with a warrant in New York . After 6 days I decided to go with Spodek Law Group. It helped that This law firm is well respected by not only the top law firms in New York , but the DA , Judge as well. I...

~Fonder Brandon

5 Stars
It was my good fortune to retain Spodek Law Group for representation for my legal needs. From the beginning, communication was prompt and thorough. Todd, Kenneth and Alex were the first people I worked with and they all made me, and my company Qumana skincare feel comfortable and confident that the team was going to work hard for me. Everything...

~A G

5 Stars
After meeting with several law firms, I chose the Spodek Law Group not only for their professionalism and experience, but for the personal attention given to me right from the initial consultation. It is important to recognize how crucial having the right legal team is when faced with potentially life altering events that impact families and the lives of loved...

~George Cherubini

Spodek Law Group

White Glove Service

We Provide Superior Service, Excellent Results, At A Level Superior To Other Criminal Defense Law Firms. Regardless Of Where Your Case Is, Nationwide, We Can Help You.
View More

Request Free Consultation

Please fill out the form below to receive a free consultation, we will respond to
your inquiry within 24-hours guaranteed.

NYC

85 Broad St 30th Floor, New York, NY 10004

212-300-5196

get directions

Los Angeles

611 S Catalina St Suite 222, Los Angeles, CA 90005

212-300-5196

get directions

QUEENS

35-37 36th St, 2nd Floor Astoria, NY 11106

212-300-5196

get directions

BROOKLYN

195 Montague St., 14th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201

212-300-5196

get directions
Call Now!