Grocer sentenced in benefits fraud

CHICAGO (AP) — A suburban Chicago grocer has been sentenced to more 2 1/2 years in prison for defrauding U.S. food-stamp and nutrition programs out of more than $800,000.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago says the scheme by Khaled Saleh and his wife included buying goods earlier obtained at other stores by those with government benefits. The couple would then resell those same products at their Waukegan store at far higher prices.

The 48-year-old Saleh and his wife pleaded guilty in August to conspiracy to defraud government programs. Saleh's wife will be sentenced later.

At Saleh's sentencing on Friday, a judge ordered that he begin serving his prison term on May 31. He was also ordered to pay $450,000 in restitution.

The husband and wife owned and operated Waukegan's Sunset Food Market.