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In a significant legal development, the leaders of the Minnesota nonprofit Feeding Our Future have been found guilty of defrauding the government of $240 million in federal food aid. On Wednesday (March 19), co-defendants Aimee Bock and Salim Said were convicted of wire fraud, bribery, and money laundering. They were accused of billing the government for nearly 100 million fake meals under the Federal Child Nutrition Program.
According to ABC News, the scheme was first uncovered in 2022 and was the largest known fraud against the government's COVID-19 relief programs at the time. Bock and Said's fraudulent activities involved submitting false claims for meals that were never served, thereby siphoning off millions of dollars meant for children in need.
The verdict marks a pivotal moment in addressing fraud within pandemic relief efforts. Both Bock and Said now face potential prison sentences for their roles in the scheme. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and accountability in the administration of federal aid programs.