Philadelphia, PA – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced charges against Eric Kushner, 42, of Philadelphia, for allegedly stealing nearly $200,000 from Food Export USA, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting trade between U.S. small-scale food suppliers and international markets. Kushner, who served as the finance manager, is facing felony charges of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property.
Kushner surrendered to authorities on Tuesday and was arraigned, subsequently being released on his own recognizance. The investigation into Kushner’s activities unveiled that from March 2022 to May 2023, he illicitly transferred small amounts of money from Food Export’s accounts into his personal accounts, totaling approximately $180,000.
Attorney General Henry emphasized the significance of the stolen funds, which were intended to support the mission of assisting small farms and businesses in expanding their reach to international markets. She stated that the charges against Kushner underscore the commitment of her office to protect the financial integrity of non-profit and charitable organizations, ensuring that funds are used as intended rather than being misappropriated for personal benefit.
Food Export USA, established in 1973, operates as a cooperative effort between state agricultural promotion agencies and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service to facilitate international trade for small-scale food producers.