On January 20, 2022, FBI agents raided a home in Savage, Minnesota, uncovering thousands of dollars in cash, luxury jewelry, and bank statements that would expose the largest pandemic relief fraud prosecution in American history. Inside the residence of Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, agents discovered evidence of systematic theft from federal coffers intended to feed hungry children. Between May 2020 and January 2022, federal prosecutors allege that 78 individuals conspired to steal over $250 million from the Federal Child Nutrition Program through Feeding Our Future, a Minneapolis nonprofit founded in 2016.
The scheme operated through a network of fraudulent meal distribution sites that claimed to serve thousands of children daily—children who never existed, meals that were never prepared, and families that were never served. Defendants created shell companies and fake distribution centers operating from empty storefronts, parking lots, and restaurants where no food was actually prepared. Invoices listed fabricated children’s names pulled from websites used to generate random names. One fraudulent grocery store claimed to have served 1.4 million meals between April 2020 and April 2021, averaging 4,500 children daily from a single Minneapolis storefront.
Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, 36, emerged as the scheme’s principal architect, operating Empire Cuisine & Market and falsely claiming to serve 18 million meals across 30-plus locations within 18 months. Prosecutors presented text messages in which Farah boasted to co-conspirators about becoming multi-millionaires within months. He personally embezzled over $8 million, using the funds to purchase a Porsche valued at $300,000, a Tesla, a GMC truck, and luxury real estate. Other defendants followed similar patterns. Abduljabar Hussein and his wife Mekfira collected $8.8 million through fraudulent invoices, spending proceeds on luxury cars and multiple properties. Najmo M. Ahmed laundered $1.38 million through personal bank accounts, making purchases from high-end retailers while transferring $1.147 million to foreign textile companies in China.
The scheme operated through systematic kickback arrangements where meal site operators paid thousands to Feeding Our Future employees to approve fraudulent applications. Ousman Camara, charged in November 2025, transferred $87,000 in kickbacks to a program employee in exchange for sponsorship approval. These corrupt arrangements created a “pay-to-play” structure where oversight mechanisms were deliberately compromised from within. In June 2024, federal investigators discovered a bag containing $120,000 left as a bribe for a juror in the Abdiaziz Farah trial. Abdimajid Mohamed Nur, sentenced to 10 years, pleaded guilty to attempted bribery charges after offering cash payments to influence acquittals.
Stolen funds crossed international borders through coordinated transfers to Kenya, Turkey, and China. Abdiaziz Farah purchased a high-rise apartment building in Nairobi’s South C district and land in Mandera County, Kenya—properties that authorities assert remain beyond the reach of American law enforcement. His younger brother, Ahmednaji Maalim Aftin Sheikh, a Kenyan national, was indicted in September 2025 for allegedly helping to move millions of stolen funds and purchasing the Nairobi apartment complex.
Federal judges have imposed substantial restitution orders, requiring defendants to repay misappropriated funds, although enforcement remains challenging. Abdimajid Mohamed Nur faces a restitution order of approximately $48 million—far exceeding his ability to pay during imprisonment. Abdiaziz Farah was ordered to pay $47.9 million in restitution. The FBI seized luxury vehicles, real estate in Minnesota and Kentucky, and international properties; however, many assets had already been dissipated or transferred overseas, beyond the reach of enforcement.
Minnesota state officials acknowledged oversight failures and implemented enhanced fraud detection safeguards following the scandal’s exposure. Governor Tim Walz’s administration strengthened audit procedures, enhanced background investigations of nonprofit sponsorships, and mandated real-time meal site inspections. The Federal Child Nutrition Program’s Minnesota reimbursements grew dramatically during the pandemic, increasing from approximately $69.6 million in Fiscal Year 2020 to $335.7 million in Fiscal Year 2021—a 382 percent increase. This explosive growth occurred despite reduced school attendance during pandemic lockdowns, indicating that budget expansion and program oversight moved in opposite directions.
As of December 2025, 56 of the 78 defendants have entered guilty pleas, with 7 convicted at trial, and multiple sentencing hearings are pending. Aimee Bock, founder of Feeding Our Future, was convicted on all charges, including conspiracy, wire fraud, and bribery. The guilty plea rate of 72 percent represents either defendants’ acknowledgment of overwhelming evidence or prosecutorial pressure—underscoring the thoroughness of the investigation. The case exposed fundamental weaknesses in nonprofit oversight, vendor verification, and real-time financial monitoring during emergency spending. Federal authorities continue to investigate related financial crimes involving program funds suspected of reaching criminal organizations internationally, with legal proceedings continuing and additional charges anticipated.
Sources:
U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota – Feeding Our Future fraud press releases and sentencing announcements
Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation – “Minneapolis woman pleads guilty in $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud scheme” release
CBS News Minnesota coverage of Feeding Our Future indictments, restitution orders, and sentencing reports
Minnesota Public Radio News – “Feeding Our Future head Aimee Bock convicted on all fraud charges”
The New York Times national reporting on Minnesota pandemic child food fraud and Somali-linked social services fraud cases
BBC News – coverage of U.S. charges in $250 million pandemic relief fraud scheme
Feeding Our Future case background summary (public reference entry)