Ocean Finest Grill Basket Inc. is taking a stand against what it perceives as an unjust penalty from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The company, represented by its attorneys Benjamin Sharav and Victor J. Molina, filed a complaint on February 19, 2026, in the Eastern District of New York against the USDA and the United States of America. Ocean Finest Grill Basket Inc. seeks to overturn a decision that disqualified it from participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for six months.
The case stems from allegations made by the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), which accused Ocean Finest Grill Basket Inc. of misusing SNAP benefits by accepting them in exchange for non-food items, violating 7 C.F.R. § 278.2(a). This accusation followed an undercover investigation conducted between January 30 and February 20, 2025, where FNS investigators claimed to have observed violations during three out of four visits to the store. However, Ocean Finest Grill Basket Inc., led by its president Fares Abdo Kasem, denies these allegations and argues that the reports provided by FNS are insufficiently detailed and lack concrete evidence.
The company's complaint highlights several issues with the investigation process. Notably, it points out that the identity of the investigator was redacted, along with crucial details such as transaction times, making it difficult for Ocean Finest Grill Basket Inc. to verify or contest specific claims. Furthermore, while FNS alleges that ineligible items were purchased using SNAP benefits, their reports do not clearly establish this fact or provide evidence of any transactions involving non-eligible items.
In light of these deficiencies, Ocean Finest Grill Basket Inc. is requesting a de novo judicial review—a fresh examination—of its disqualification from SNAP participation. The company argues that it has exhausted all administrative appeals available within the USDA framework and now seeks relief through the court system to challenge what it views as an erroneous decision based on flawed findings.
The plaintiff is seeking several forms of relief from the court: a stay on its disqualification from SNAP pending resolution of this matter; a de novo judicial review challenging the USDA's decision; and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing Ocean Finest Grill Basket Inc., attorneys Benjamin Sharav and Victor J. Molina have taken up this legal battle in front of judges at the Eastern District Court of New York under Case ID 1:26-cv-00972.