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Family convicted of welfare fraud in Green Bay

By: Erin Davisson

Updated: March 14, 2013

Green Bay, Wis.(WFRV) -- A family accused of masterminding a major case of welfare fraud appeared in a Brown County courtroom today.

The former owner of Beach Beach Liquor, his wife and daughter 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.

All three Basantis pleaded guilty to fraud charges in court today.

Two of the Basantis faced several fraud charges but many were dropped during their plea hearing.

55-year-old Gurnek Basanti and 52 year-old Gurpdeep Basanti each pleaded guilty to one felony count of fraud and two misdemeanor counts of fraudulent credit card use.

The Basantis were charged with illegally accepting customers Food Share cards to pay for liquor and cigarettes.

State law prohibits using Quest cards for tobacco and alcohol.

According to the criminal complaint they would charge double the price and pocket the difference.

Their daughter Simarjot pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of fraud today as well.

All three are scheduled to be back for sentencing on April 29th.