Welfare Fraud Search Warrants Released
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New information was released Thursday on what's being called the largest case of welfare fraud in state history. It centers around Beach Road Liquor, a store on the northeast side of Green Bay, accused of misusing QUEST food share cards. Video by nbc26.com
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GREEN BAY - New information was released Thursday on what's being called the largest case of welfare fraud in state history. It centers around Beach Road Liquor, a store on the northeast side of Green Bay, accused of misusing QUEST food share cards.
The investigation into the store first began in April. The owners of the store, Gurnek and Gurdeep Basanti, are at the center of the case. They're accused of misusing the cards, allowing hundreds of people to buy alcohol and tobacco and obtain cash using welfare money.
Police have since gained access to store records and searched the owners' home and vehicles. Investigators seized a number of items from the store, including 15 different QUEST cards, $2,500 in cash, glass pipes and gambling machines.
Investigators declined to comment Thursday, saying they "have yet to scratch the surface" of the case.
Police say the owners of the store charged QUEST card holders twice the value of their items in order to profit. Now, investigators are hoping the case will serve as a warning to anyone else who may be misusing the cards.
The liquor store is still open, and the owners have declined to speak about the investigation. Police hope to file charges within the next week.
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