Prosecutors: Illinois man stole $1 million via LINK cards

BURBANK, Ill. (AP) - Prosecutors say a southwest suburban Chicago man used more than 3,000 LINK cards to steal almost $1 million in government funds by purchasing energy drinks and candy and then reselling them.

The Chicago Tribune reports (http://trib.in/1EIrT5T ) that 46-year-old Wael Ghosheh (Go-SHAY') has been charged with theft of government property, identity theft, money laundering and unauthorized use of food stamp benefits and wire fraud.

He's being held in Cook County Jail after appearances Wednesday and Thursday at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.

Officials say Ghosheh used multiple LINK cards, which provide federal funding to low income individuals for nutrition assistance, to make large-volume purchases at a store, which alerted law enforcement.

It was unclear if Ghosheh already had an attorney or other representative who could comment on the charges.

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Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com