# SNAP and charity fraud investigations in New York and US

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/snap-and-charity-fraud-investigations-in-new-york-and-us
> Updated: 2026-11-01T18:00:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Authorities in New York and Florida have taken legal action against several large-scale fraud schemes involving the misappropriation of public and charitable funds.

In New York, Keith Taylor, the former CEO of the Modest Needs Foundation, was sentenced to eight years in prison after prosecutors revealed he embezzled over $2.5 million from the charity. Taylor allegedly used the funds for luxury living and failed to report millions in income, resulting in over $1 million in unpaid federal taxes.

In a separate New York investigation, eight individuals were indicted for an alleged $7 million SNAP fraud scheme operating between 2023 and 2025. The group is accused of using cloned EBT cards and fraudulent merchant accounts at delis to drain benefits, with some funds reportedly used for luxury vehicles and sent to Yemen.

In Florida, Anwar Jouda was arrested for his alleged involvement in an $862,000 fraud scheme. Authorities claim Jouda used a victim’s identity and business information to establish fraudulent merchant accounts and divert SNAP deposits into his own bank accounts.

## Timeline

### 2026-11-01: Authorities arrest individuals in separate SNAP fraud schemes

Authorities in New York and Florida have taken action against separate alleged SNAP fraud schemes involving millions of dollars in stolen benefits through fraudulent merchant accounts.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/authorities-arrest-individuals-in-separate-snap-fraud-schemes

### 2026-10-29: New York fraud cases involve charity embezzlement and EBT theft

New York authorities have addressed two major fraud cases: the 8-year sentencing of a charity founder for embezzling $2.5 million and the indictment of eight people for a $7 million EBT theft scheme.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-york-fraud-cases-involve-charity-embezzlement-and-ebt-theft

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Cite as: SNAP and charity fraud investigations in New York and US. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/snap-and-charity-fraud-investigations-in-new-york-and-us
