OLEAN, N.Y. — A longtime Olean restaurateur faces multiple charges connected with an alleged case of welfare fraud, the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office reported Friday.
Mian M. Rafi, 68, of 444 Third Ave., owner of Rafi’s Food Hub on West State Street, was charged at 9 a.m. Friday with third-degree grand larceny, third-degree welfare fraud and two counts of felony misuse of food stamps, class D felonies; and five counts of misuse of benefits, a class A misdemeanor.
The charges stem from the investigation into a complaint made by the Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services in early 2023 regarding a possible stolen EBT Food Stamp card.
In a statement, deputies indicated Rafi allegedly engaged in a trafficking operation of New York State EBT Food Stamp cards. Deputies allege Rafi purchased multiple EBT Food Stamp cards over the past four years, fraudulently receiving $11,842.32 in EBT Snap/Food Stamp Card benefits as a result.
Rafi was released with an appearance ticket.
According to deputies, the alleged trafficking scheme reportedly involved multiple individuals, and investigations are ongoing.
