Former Donora councilman charged in fraud case
Charges were filed against a Donora business owner and former borough councilman who allegedly took part in fraudulent food stamp transactions at his business.
Jimmie Brantner Coulter, 63, of Donora was charged with buying or exchanging food stamps, fraudulently trafficking in food orders, theft by deception and access device fraud on Friday following an recommendation by a grand jury presentment in March to file charges in the matter.
According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by the Pennsylvania State Police Organized Crime Task Force, the United States Department of Agriculture contacted the task force in August 2017 about several questionable transactions out of Ondray’s Store in Donora.
Coulter owns the store where the questionable activities were related to food-stamp transactions allegedly conducted at the store by Coulter.
The affidavit of probable cause alleges that Coulter would provide food stamp recipients money in exchange for their food stamps.
The task force claims that approximately $2,676.87 in food stamps were exchanged in the fraudulent transactions.
A preliminary hearing for Coulter has been scheduled at 10:15 a.m. May 9 before Washington County Magisterial District Judge Curtis Thompson.
Coulter is free on $10,000 unsecured bond.
Coulter served as a member of borough council until he lost his bid for re-election in 2017.