A Saginaw, Michigan woman accused of using food stamp benefits to fund her home bakery has rejected a plea deal that would have kept a conviction off her record and is now headed toward trial.
Prosecutors say 32-year-old Talia Teneyuque misused more than $20,000 in Bridge Card benefits to purchase baking ingredients later sold through her business, Luvn a Jar. Investigators claim the purchases closely matched items promoted on her Facebook page, including cookies, cupcakes, and cobblers.
Teneyuque was offered a misdemeanor plea with probation and no permanent conviction if she repaid the money. She declined.
State investigators testified that sales records, social media posts, and benefit transactions suggested business use of food assistance.
A judge ruled there was enough evidence to move the case to Circuit Court. Teneyuque remains free on bond and now faces a felony charge punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
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