Deen Gourmet Deli Corp. is challenging its disqualification from the Food Stamps Program, a move that could significantly impact its business operations. The complaint was filed by Deen Gourmet Deli Corp. on January 21, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York against the United States of America and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The deli seeks to overturn a decision made by the USDA that found it had violated regulations concerning the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The case centers around allegations made by the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) that Deen Gourmet Deli Corp., under the leadership of Jamal H Alabli, misused SNAP benefits. This charge stems from a March 26, 2024 letter where FNS accused the deli of accepting SNAP benefits for non-eligible items, violating 7 C.F.R. § 278.2(a). Despite these accusations, it's important to note that no charges of trafficking were made against Deen Gourmet Deli Corp., which typically involves exchanging SNAP benefits for cash or other unauthorized goods.
Jamal H Alabli and his corporation have denied these allegations from the outset. In response to FNS's May 15, 2024 determination that violations occurred warranting a six-month disqualification from SNAP participation, Deen Gourmet Deli promptly sought an administrative review on May 21, 2024. However, this appeal was unsuccessful as the Final Agency Decision dated January 6, 2026 upheld their disqualification.
In their defense, Deen Gourmet Deli Corp. argues that FNS's investigation was flawed and lacked substantial evidence. They point out deficiencies in FNS's reports which fail to clearly establish any sale of ineligible items using SNAP benefits during six undercover visits between January and February 2024. Moreover, they highlight redactions in investigative reports that obscure crucial details such as investigator identities and transaction times—information necessary for mounting an effective defense.
Deen Gourmet Deli Corp.'s complaint seeks judicial intervention to stay their disqualification pending further review and requests a de novo trial to reassess the validity of USDA’s findings under federal law (7 C.F.R.§ 279.7(c)). They argue that without clear evidence or proper documentation showing wrongdoing on their part concerning EBT transactions involving non-eligible items or improper pricing practices within those transactions—FNS’s conclusions remain unsubstantiated.
Represented by attorneys Benjamin Sharav and Victor J Molina from Victor J Molina Law Office located at Bronx NY; they urge court intervention citing exhaustion of all administrative remedies available before pursuing this legal action within stipulated deadlines ending February 5th - thirty days post-final agency decision notification date set forth per regulatory guidelines governing such disputes nationwide across similar cases handled annually involving retailers facing analogous sanctions under comparable circumstances historically documented extensively throughout past decades preceding current ongoing proceedings unfolding contemporaneously now before presiding judge yet unnamed overseeing adjudication process ultimately determining outcome anticipated eagerly awaiting resolution hopefully favorable towards plaintiffs seeking relief requested hereinabove aforementioned previously discussed earlier prior sections detailing comprehensive overview narrative encapsulating essence core issue underlying litigation subject matter present instance case number: Case ID:1:26-cv-00348
Source: 126cv00348_Deen_Gourmet_Deli_Corp_v_United_States_of_America_Complaint_Eastern_District_New_York.pdf