Ga. business owner sentenced in USDA scam

Nov 27, 2012 - 19:10
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ATLANTA — A 47-year-old business owner from northe Georgia was sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison for defrauding the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Atlanta Joual-Constitution reports (http://bit.ly/118r3IZ ) Mushtaq "Mike" Mistry, of Lawrenceville, submitted about $300,000 worth of false claims to the USDA.

Authorities say he exploited a federal program designed to help domestic business owners market their products inteationally.

The newspaper reported that Mistry, owner of a frozen food company, used falsified documents to submit fraudulent claims for television advertisements in Dubai that he never actually purchased.

Mistry pleaded guilty in September. Aside from jail time, he must pay a $342,500 fine, spend six months on home confinement, serve six months of supervised release and participate in 500 hours of community service.

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Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher is a Georgia-based freelance journalist covering local news, community developments, and regional issues that matter most to residents across the state. Writing for Georgianewsday.com since 2016, Mike has built a reputation for clear, balanced reporting and a strong connection to the communities he serves. His work spans city council decisions, school board updates, small business features, public safety reports, and statewide policy changes. In addition to local coverage, Mike occasionally reports on state politics and national headlines, offering readers context on how broader decisions impact Georgia communities. Known for his steady, fact-driven approach, Mike prioritizes accuracy, fairness, and accessibility in every story. Whether covering a town hall meeting or breaking political developments, he aims to inform readers with clarity and integrity. Outside the newsroom, Mike remains actively engaged in Georgia’s civic landscape, always seeking the next story that shapes the state’s future.