West Side Store Owner Charged With Public Aid Fraud, Money Laundering
(STMW) -- Authorities allege a West Side convenience store owner committed public aid fraud through the LINK card program and resold stolen merchandise in an illegal fencing operation.
Ali Al Najjar, 45, who owns Uptown Grocery at 4024 W. Madison St., was charged with two counts of felony continuing financial criminal enterprise, felony money laundering and felony wire fraud, the Cook County state's attorney's office announced Friday.
On six occasions between June and September, an undercover officer went to the store and sold Al Najjar stolen items including over-the-counter medicines, perfumes and purses, prosecutors said.
Al Najjar,, indicated that he was aware that the merchandise was stolen and he engaged the undercover officer in several conversations about securing and selling stolen items, according to the statement and Chicago Police.
At least three times, the officer used a LINK card to get cash back in exchange for debiting food stamp benefits contained on the card, prosecutors said.
Authorities raided his store Thursday and recovered $40,000 in cash and $30,000 in high-value merchandise along with two cars, according to Chicago Police.
Al Najjar, of the 5700 block of North Mozart Avenue, was released on his own recognizance at a bond hearing Friday, authorities said. He is due back in court Nov. 6.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2015. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
