LAKEWOOD — A husband and wife from Lakewood Township are facing criminal charges after investigators said they fraudulently collected more than $75,000 in federal food assistance benefits over several years.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that 43-year-old Refael Busel and 39-year-old Rivka Busel were each charged with Theft by Deception and Issuing a False Financial Statement in connection with the alleged scheme that allegedly occurred between September 2019 and August 2023.
According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad, the couple received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits they were not entitled to by underreporting their income. Investigators said the Busels omitted multiple income sources from their applications and renewals to qualify for the benefits.
The couple surrendered to Lakewood Township Police on October 21, where they were processed and released on summonses pending a court appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
Billhimer credited the Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad, the Lakewood Township Police Department, and the Ocean County Board of Social Services for their work on the case.
