Federal investigators accuse a Des Moines ethnic market of stealing money from state and federal food assistance programs.The U.S. Attorney's Office is suing Osman Jama, owner of the MidCity Halal Foods Mart, to take possession of three homes it believes he purchased with money taken fraudulently from state and federal food assistance programs.In a 47-page complaint, investigators accuse Jama of scanning bar codes on a sheet of paper for SNAP- and WIC-approved items, then allowing customers to take cash or non-approved items for less than the value he charged.SNAP and WIC policy does not allow participants to use the cards to withdraw cash from their accounts.Investigators said MidCity Halal Foods Market received $1.9 million more from food assistance business than any other market their size in the area from March 2015 to March 2019.Jama declined an on-camera but let us in to record in the store. He called the accusations against him lies and said there is a misunderstanding.Investigators report that MidCity did 45,750 WIC redemptions in January 2019, which was the same level of business as big box stores such as Walmart.Jama attributes the numbers to the unique range of products his market provides.MidCity sells items that specifically appeal to African immigrants -- including halal meat, which is meat slaughtered according to Islamic religious standards.As of Tuesday, Jama does not face criminal charges in the case.Based on court documents, it appears the U.S. government wants possession of Jama's houses to recoup the money investigators accuse him of taking.The U.S. Attorney's Office could not comment on the case.

Federal investigators accuse a Des Moines ethnic market of stealing money from state and federal food assistance programs.

The U.S. Attorney's Office is suing Osman Jama, owner of the MidCity Halal Foods Mart, to take possession of three homes it believes he purchased with money taken fraudulently from state and federal food assistance programs.


In a 47-page complaint, investigators accuse Jama of scanning bar codes on a sheet of paper for SNAP- and WIC-approved items, then allowing customers to take cash or non-approved items for less than the value he charged.

SNAP and WIC policy does not allow participants to use the cards to withdraw cash from their accounts.

Investigators said MidCity Halal Foods Market received $1.9 million more from food assistance business than any other market their size in the area from March 2015 to March 2019.

Jama declined an on-camera but let us in to record in the store. He called the accusations against him lies and said there is a misunderstanding.

Investigators report that MidCity did 45,750 WIC redemptions in January 2019, which was the same level of business as big box stores such as Walmart.

Jama attributes the numbers to the unique range of products his market provides.

MidCity sells items that specifically appeal to African immigrants -- including halal meat, which is meat slaughtered according to Islamic religious standards.

As of Tuesday, Jama does not face criminal charges in the case.

Based on court documents, it appears the U.S. government wants possession of Jama's houses to recoup the money investigators accuse him of taking.

The U.S. Attorney's Office could not comment on the case.