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Minnesota Court Convicts 7 Somali Defendants in Staggering $250 Million Covid Pandemic Fraud
A Minnesota jury has delivered a resounding verdict in a high-profile case that exposed a brazen scheme to misappropriate millions of dollars in Covid relief funds.
The trial centred around seven Somali defendants accused of exploiting a federal program intended to provide free, nutritious meals to children and low-income families during the pandemic. The defendants were associated with Feeding Our Future, a nonprofit organization in Minnesota. The alleged scheme unravelled a web of deceit that spanned from April 2020 to January 2022. During this period, the defendants were accused of recruiting individuals to open Federal Child Nutrition Program sites. However, instead of utilizing the funds collected from the program to feed children, they diverted the money for personal gain.
Prosecutors describe the operation as “a brazen scheme of staggering proportions,” emphasizing that the defendants exploited a program designed to support needy children during the pandemic, prioritizing their greed. After more than three days of deliberation, the sequestered jury has found five of the defendants guilty of most of the crimes they were accused of, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. The convicted individuals include Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, Mohamed Jama Ismail, Abdimajid Mohamed Nur, Mukhtar Mohamed Shariff, and Hayat Nur. Two other defendants, Said Shafii Farah and Abdiwahab Maalim Aftin, were acquitted of all charges.
During the trial, a juror reported an alleged bribery attempt. According to the juror, a stranger delivered a bag containing $120,000 in cash to her home, promising more if she would vote to acquit the defendants. The juror promptly informed the court and police, leading to her dismissal. The FBI continues to investigate the bribery incident. US Attorney Andrew Luger emphasizes that the defendants collectively received over $40 million in federal funds, with much of the money allegedly used to purchase multiple homes, properties, and luxury vehicles. Feeding Our Future, the sponsor implicated in the fraud has faced scrutiny, and 18 individuals associated with the organization have already pleaded guilty.