A federal jury in Minnesota recently found Aimee Bock, the founder of Feeding Our Future, and Salim Said, a former restaurant owner, guilty of a massive fraud scheme.
They were charged with exploiting a federal program designed to feed children during the COVID-19 pandemic, pocketing a staggering $250 million. Prosecutors have labelled this case as one of the biggest frauds targeting pandemic relief efforts.
Bock and Said faced multiple charges, including conspiracy, wire fraud, and bribery, with Said also being charged with money laundering.
This scheme revolved around the abuse of the Federal Child Nutrition Program, a U.S. Department of Agriculture initiative. Established in the 1960s, this program provides meals to children from low-income families when schools are closed.
The pandemic forced the USDA to ease some of its program requirements, allowing for-profit restaurants to participate under certain conditions. This move opened the door for Bock and Said, who took advantage of the relaxed rules. They set up over 250 fake meal distribution sites across Minnesota.
“These sites, created and operated by Bock, Said, and others, fraudulently claimed to be serving meals to thousands of children a day within just days or weeks of being formed,” according to the U.S. Attorney of Minnesota.
Feeding Our Future falsely reported providing 91 million meals between April 2020 and November 2021. They managed to collect nearly $250 million in federal reimbursements.
To back up their false claims, Bock and Said fabricated attendance records with names and ages of non-existent children.
They also established shell companies to enroll as food program sites, using them to launder the stolen money. This ill-gotten wealth was then distributed among their co-conspirators.
The co-conspirators used the funds to make lavish purchases, including luxury cars, houses, and international trips. Bock and Said are part of a group of 70 people charged in this scheme. While over 30 individuals have pleaded guilty, five others have been convicted.
The case took a surprising turn last summer when five defendants attempted to bribe a juror with cash. They targeted a juror they identified as the youngest and the “only juror of color.” The conspirators went as far as researching her family background and tracking her movements.
They devised a plan to sway her vote, drafting instructions for her to vote not guilty on all counts. Their talking points aimed at discrediting the prosecution, accusing it of being racially motivated. On the night before closing arguments, one conspirator delivered $120,000 in cash to the juror’s home.
The juror, however, promptly informed the police about the bribe. This desperate attempt to influence the verdict highlighted the lengths to which the conspirators were willing to go. The case has drawn significant attention due to the brazen nature of the fraud and the attempted jury tampering.
Fox News and the New York Post have reported extensively on this shocking case, underlining its impact on public trust in pandemic relief programs.
The misuse of funds meant for vulnerable children during a crisis underscores the need for stricter oversight. As the legal proceedings continue, many hope for justice for the children who were deprived of essential meals.
