Ohio millionaire on food stamps says he's lunched with Donald Trump

RUSSELL TOWNSHIP, Ohio – If he wanted Donald Trump’s help, all he’d have to do is pick up the phone and this food stamp fraud case would go away.

"Yes, I'm friends with Trump," he said.

But Ali Pascal Mahvi said he’s not going to bother his long-time business associate.

“I’m totally innocent,” Mahvi said.

And he’s intent on proving it, he added, so he doesn’t need the help of Trump or any of his 2,000 other friends on his cell phone contact list.

“I know Trump," Mahvi said in a phone interview Friday. "I’ve had lunch with him many times and I have many other friends in high places. But I’m innocent. I don’t need their help."

Exactly one week ago, law enforcement descended on Mahvi’s palatial estate in Russell Township.

It was for the oddest of reasons: Mahvi is accused of concealing millions of dollars in assets and cash in order to receive about $300 a month in food stamps and thousands more in other welfare benefits.

http://www.king5.com/news/millionaire-on-food-stamps-dined-with-trump/316691871