A federal grand jury has indicted two siblings accused of running a bribery scheme that allegedly cost Subway franchisees more than $80 million. Janet Risi Field, 66, and her brother Steven Louis Risi, 70, face charges in a case first reported by NBC 6 South Florida. Prosecutors say the pair turned a role meant to save restaurant owners money into a personal windfall.
A Cooperative Meant to Cut Costs
Risi Field founded the Independent Purchasing Cooperative (IPC), a nonprofit that negotiates supply contracts for Subway owners, and led it from 1996 to 2021. Its purpose was to secure the lowest possible prices for franchisees. Prosecutors allege, however, that she struck secret arrangements with vendor brokers, who shared a portion of their contract profits with her.
According to authorities, shell companies collected more than $60 million through these deals. The money allegedly paid for homes in Florida and North Carolina, jewelry and private club memberships. A slush fund also reportedly covered her personal assistant, housekeeper and handyman.
Fired, Then Paid Millions
IPC’s board dismissed Risi Field in 2021 for reasons unrelated to the alleged scheme, and it was reportedly unaware of the kickbacks at the time. She left with more than $6 million in severance.
If convicted, both siblings face up to 20 years in prison. An indictment is an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Subway is not named in the indictment. Prosecutors instead describe it as an American multinational fast-food chain specializing in submarine sandwiches, with more than 20,000 locations in North America.
The case is a reminder for franchise owners and operators that vendor and supplier fraud can hide inside the very organizations created to protect buyers, and that regular audits of purchasing arrangements matter.