PITTSBURGH – Two residents of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of food stamp fraud, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Meg Gurung, age 35, and Ago Gurung, age 35, both of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count before Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that during June 2019 and continuing through February 2021, the defendants, Meg and Ago Gurung, were engaged in exchanging food stamps for ineligible, non-food items and cash at their store, Gurung Brothers LLC, located at 2950 Brownsville Road, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Gurung brothers received benefits from the USDA totaling $5,000 or more for these unauthorized purchases.
Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for Meg Gurung on March 29, 2022, and for Ago Gurung on June 30, 2022. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court continued Meg and Ago Gurung on bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Karen Gal-Or is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Meg and Ago Gurung.