A Shakopee resident has admitted guilt in a significant fraud case involving the misappropriation of federal funds intended for child nutrition programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick announced the guilty plea.
Court documents reveal that between October 2020 and January 2022, Mekfira Hussein conspired with others to defraud the federal child nutrition program. Hussein and her husband, Abduljabar Hussein, falsely claimed to serve meals to thousands of children daily, securing millions in funds.
In October 2020, Hussein's non-profit, Shamsia Hopes, was enrolled in the Federal Child Nutrition Program through Feeding Our Future under employee Abdikerm Eidleh's guidance. Her application was submitted to Aimee Bock, executive director of Feeding Our Future. In December 2020, Abduljabar registered Oromia Feeds LLC as a food vendor in Minnesota to supply meals for Shamsia Hopes sites managed by Mekfira Hussein.
The plea agreement indicates that Hussein submitted inflated invoices for reimbursement, including exaggerated meal counts and attendance rosters. She and her husband paid at least $140,000 in kickbacks to Eidleh and $12,000 to Aimee Bock disguised as "consulting fees." Feeding Our Future also billed claims under Shamsia Hopes without Mekfira's authorization and diverted funds elsewhere.
Throughout this scheme, the Husseins obtained up to $8.8 million from federal child nutrition funds. They used some proceeds for personal expenses such as paying off their mortgage and purchasing vehicles like a Porsche and a GMC truck.
Mekfira Hussein pleaded guilty before Judge Nancy E. Brasel in U.S. District Court on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Her sentencing will be scheduled later.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Ebert, Joseph H. Thompson, and Harry M. Jacobs are prosecuting this case with Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Baune handling asset forfeiture.