After a constituent sent him proof that state-issued food stamp cards were being openly sold at deep discounts on Craigslist, Sen. Andy Hill, R-Redmond, reiterated his support for creating a division of special investigations within the state auditor’s office.

“When food stamp recipients can turn around and profit by selling their food stamp cards on Craigslist undetected, someone is not doing their job,” Hill said. “Sen. Mike Carrell’s Senate Bill 5329 would remove the responsibility for all fraud and abuse investigations from the state Department of Social and Health Services and give it to the state auditor.”

Carrell’s bill would allow the state auditor to handle all cases of fraudulent activity in public assistance programs, ensuring they are investigated thoroughly and, if necessary, referred to the appropriate authorities.

“Food stamp trafficking is currently a Class C felony,” Hill said. “And I have forwarded the information on this case to DSHS and law enforcement. The tragic element in all this is that somewhere, families are not being fed because someone is selling their foods stamps for quick cash.”

Last year, Washington issued about $1.4 billion in federal taxpayer-funded food stamps. Nearly 475,000 Washington households receive an average monthly benefit of $243.