STORE LOSES FOOD STAMP PRIVILEGES FOR SIX MONTHS

The front-door at Don's Store 24 says the business doesn't accept food stamps anymore, but that notice doesn't tell the whole story.

An investigation at the store at 341 S. Sprigg revealed clerks sold dishwashing liquid, soap, paper towels, bleach and other household items for food stamps. On June 17, officials with the U.S. Agriculture Department sent a letter to the store saying it was disqualified from accepting food stamps for six months.

USDA's Craig Forman said owner Don Caldwell had a chance to appeal but didn't take any action.

"Most businesses deny they have done anything wrong," Forman said. "They say they were victims of entrapment, but our investigators are too smart for that. Don's Store 24 never appealed the decision."

Although the business was disqualified from taking food stamps so long ago, Forman said he wasn't allowed to release any information until Thursday.

The six-month disqualification is the minimum penalty for food stamp fraud. If clerks had exchanged food stamps for liquor, cigarettes or money, the punishment would have been more severe.