Update on welfare fraud investigation in Brown County: 3 referred for charges

BROWN COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) - New developments in what is being called the largest welfare fraud case in state history.

Local 5 first told you about the case involving Green Bay's Beach Road Liquor in June.

Now, the Brown County Sheriff's Department has referred charges for these three people to the District Attorney:

Gurnek Basanti, 55

Gurdeep Bastanti, 52

Simarjot Basanti, 25

The three are accused of letting customers abuse "Quest" program cards to purchase beer, liquor, cigarettes and even exchange them for cash.

All are clearly prohibited under the low income program.

To get around the state rules the Sheriff's Department says Beach Road Liquor employees would scan allowable items or ring up the transaction without detailing what was purchased and would charge double.

The store would allegedly pocket the difference.

The investigation uncovered more than 365 people involved in over twelve hundred transactions.

At this point we do not know if any of the customers are facing charges.

The Sheriff's Department is still looking for people to come forward who have witnessed abuse of the food share program at this or other locations.

This is not the first time the owner has been under investigation for fraud

In 2001 Basanti's corporation in Wyoming received administrative sanctions and was permanently disqualified by the USDA for violations.

Piles of evidence were removed from the green bay store including Quest cards, computers, records, and cash.