Man Sentenced for Stealing Food Benefits Cards

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Daniel Raudonis, 33, Madison, Wisconsin was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to three months confinement at a community correctional facility for theft of government funds.  Daniel Raudonis pleaded guilty to these charges on April 3, 2019.

Daniel Raudonis and his wife Lindsey Raudonis were involved in a scheme to steal and use Quest cards that were in the possession of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (WDHS).  Quest cards are food benefits cards funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

From October 2014 to November 2014, Daniel Raudonis used his status as a WDHS employee to steal the identities of homeless individuals and activate their Quest cards.  Once activated, Daniel Raudonis provided the cards to Lindsey Raudonis who used them to purchase $2,972.34 worth of groceries at four different locations in Madison.  On April 10, 2019, Lindsey Raudonis received a sentence of time served (44 days in jail) for her role in the scheme.

During sentencing, Judge Peterson highlighted that Daniel Raudonis abused his position of trust at WDHS.  Judge Peterson specifically noted that Daniel Raudonis insulted law-abiding government employees and undermined the public’s trust in government programs. 

The charges against Daniel and Lindsey Raudonis were the result of an investigation conducted by the Dane County Department of Human Services, Wisconsin Capitol Police, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma.