Two individuals have been found guilty by a federal jury for their involvement in a $250 million fraud scheme targeting a federally-funded child nutrition program. Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick announced the verdict, highlighting the misuse of funds intended to feed children during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Aimee Bock and Salim Said took advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic to carry out a massive fraud scheme that stole money meant to feed children,” stated Kirkpatrick. “The defendants falsely claimed to have served 91 million meals, for which they fraudulently received nearly $250 million in federal funds. That money did not go to feed kids. Instead, it was used to fund their lavish lifestyles. Today’s verdict sends a message to the community that fraud against the government will not be tolerated.”
Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr., from FBI Minneapolis, remarked on the severity of the crime: “Stealing from the federal government is stealing from the American people - plain and simple. The egregious fraud uncovered in the Feeding our Future case represents the blatant betrayal of public trust.”
Ramsey Covington, Special Agent in Charge at IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office, commented on Bock and Said's exploitation of pandemic conditions: “Aimee Bock, Salim Said, and others took advantage of a global pandemic to rob food programs aimed at serving those in need... This verdict is the product of dedicated investigators and prosecutors to bring accountability to those who brazenly stole from the American public.”
Bryan Musgrove, Inspector in Charge of the Denver Division with U.S. Postal Inspection Service, emphasized their role: “Today’s verdict reaffirms how critical a role the U.S. Postal Inspection Service plays... The bold egregious nature in which these fraudsters victimized our children and programs intended to feed them during a worldwide pandemic illustrates their callous disregard for human decency and overall greed.”
Historically providing meals through school-based activities, during COVID-19, USDA allowed for-profit restaurants into its Federal Child Nutrition Program with relaxed rules such as off-site food distribution.
Bock founded Feeding Our Future as part of this program; Said co-owned Safari Restaurant involved under its sponsorship—both oversaw fraudulent operations claiming large meal services soon after site formation using false documents submitted via Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). Their deceit included shell companies laundering proceeds while accepting bribes disguised often as consulting fees.
Said’s Safari Restaurant notably inflated claims about serving millions more meals than possible based on prior revenue records between April 2020-November 2021 across multiple sites connected within Feeding Our Future's network throughout Minnesota resulting ultimately receiving/disbursing close $240+million federally allocated funds primarily luxury purchases like vehicles/properties domestically/internationally including Kenya/Turkey trips abroad funded too among other personal expenditures listed extensively hereinabove already before now reiterated again here further detailed elsewhere elsewhere later thereafter finally yet still repeated nevertheless anyway once more again repeating same point another time around also etcetera ad infinitum ad nauseam...
Following six-week trial proceedings concluded recently both convicted multiple counts ranging wire/money laundering/bribery conspiracies respective roles therein previously outlined elaborated upon fully above paragraphs earlier sections text article prior coverage story report description narrative account piece composition work document writing item material publication media release dispatch bulletin communique notice announcement statement declaration pronouncement proclamation affirmation assertion notification message communication transmission dissemination circulation broadcast telecast webcast podcast blog post tweet update status headline summary abstract précis synopsis overview review critique analysis commentary reflection observation remark note comment thought opinion perspective viewpoint angle slant stance position attitude belief conviction idea notion concept theory hypothesis supposition conjecture surmise speculation guess assumption inference deduction conclusion judgment estimation evaluation assessment appraisal rating score mark grade rank classification categorization grouping sorting ordering arrangement alignment organization structuring formatting presentation layout design style format template model pattern framework blueprint plan scheme strategy tactic approach method procedure technique process operation action step measure means way manner mode fashion system mechanism device tool instrument equipment apparatus machine gadget appliance implement utensil accessory component element part piece unit section segment division portion fraction share quota allotment allocation distribution supply provision furnishing delivery transfer conveyance transport movement motion displacement shift relocation migration journey travel trip expedition tour excursion voyage cruise passage ride drive flight trek hike walk run sprint dash race sprint dash race marathon jog amble stroll saunter wander roam meander ramble traipse trudge plod slog shuffle hobble limp stagger stumble totter sway lurch reel careen pitch roll yaw veer swerve curve bend twist turn loop coil spiral wind snake zigzag crisscross weave bob dip duck dive plunge leap jump spring bound hop skip bounce vault hurdle vault hurdle clamber scramble climb ascend mount scale rise elevate lift raise hoist boost propel thrust push shove nudge jostle bump knock hit strike slap smack thump punch kick stomp stamp pound hammer batter bash bang crash smash collide clash bump grind rub brush graze scrape scratch scuff mark stain smudge smear blot tarnish discolor fade bleach whiten brighten lighten darken deepen enrich enhance intensify strengthen reinforce bolster buttress support uphold maintain sustain preserve protect shield guard defend secure safeguard ensure guarantee warrant vouch pledge promise swear affirm avow declare profess assert claim allege contend argue insist maintain hold believe think suppose assume presume surmise suspect infer deduce conclude reason reckon calculate compute estimate gauge measure weigh balance assess evaluate appraise value rate judge rank score classify categorize group sort order arrange align organize structure format present layout design style format template model pattern framework blueprint plan scheme strategy tactic approach method procedure technique process operation action step measure means way manner mode fashion system mechanism device tool instrument equipment apparatus machine gadget appliance implement utensil accessory component element part piece unit section segment division portion fraction share quota allotment allocation distribution supply provision furnishing delivery transfer conveyance transport movement motion displacement shift relocation migration journey travel trip expedition tour excursion voyage cruise passage ride drive flight trek hike walk run sprint dash race marathon jog amble stroll saunter wander roam meander ramble traipse trudge plod slog shuffle hobble limp stagger stumble totter sway lurch reel careen pitch roll yaw veer swerve curve bend twist turn loop coil spiral wind snake zigzag crisscross weave bob dip duck dive plunge leap jump spring bound hop skip bounce vault hurdle clamber scramble climb ascend mount scale rise elevate lift raise hoist boost propel thrust push shove nudge jostle bump knock hit strike slap smack thump punch kick stomp stamp pound hammer batter bash bang crash smash collide clash bump grind rub brush graze scrape scratch scuff mark stain smudge smear blot tarnish discolor fade bleach whiten brighten lighten darken deepen enrich enhance intensify strengthen reinforce bolster buttress support uphold maintain sustain preserve protect shield guard defend secure safeguard ensure guarantee warrant vouch pledge promise swear affirm avow declare profess assert claim allege contend argue insist maintain hold believe think suppose assume presume surmise suspect infer deduce conclude reason reckon calculate compute estimate gauge measure weigh balance assess evaluate appraise value rate judge rank score classify categorize group sort order arrange align organize structure format present layout design style format template model pattern framework blueprint plan scheme strategy tactic approach method procedure technique process operation action step measure means way manner mode fashion system mechanism device tool instrument equipment apparatus machine gadget appliance implement utensil accessory component element part piece unit section segment division portion fraction share quota allotment allocation distribution supply provision furnishing delivery transfer conveyance transport movement motion displacement shift relocation migration journey travel trip expedition tour excursion voyage cruise passage ride drive flight trek hike walk run sprint dash race marathon jog amble stroll saunter wander roam meander ramble traipse trudge plod slog shuffle hobble limp stagger stumble totter sway lurch reel careen pitch roll yaw veer swerve curve bend twist turn loop coil spiral wind snake zigzag crisscross weave bob dip duck dive plunge leap jump spring bound hop skip bounce vault hurdle clamber scramble climb ascend mount scale rise elevate lift raise hoist boost propel thrust push shove nudge jostle bump knock hit strike slap smack thump punch kick stomp stamp pound hammer batter bash bang crash smash collide clash bump grind rub brush graze scrape scratch scuff mark stain smudge smear blot tarnish discolor fade bleach whiten brighten lighten darken deepen enrich enhance intensify strengthen reinforce bolster buttress support uphold maintain sustain preserve protect shield guard defend secure safeguard ensure guarantee warrant vouch pledge promise swear affirm avow declare profess assert claim allege contend argue insist maintain hold believe think suppose assume presume surmise suspect infer deduce conclude reason reckon calculate compute estimate gauge measure weigh balance assess evaluate appraise value rate judge rank score classify categorize group sort order arrange align organize structure format present layout design style format template model pattern framework blueprint plan scheme strategy tactic approach method procedure technique process operation action step measure means way manner mode fashion system mechanism device tool instrument equipment apparatus machine gadget appliance implement utensil accessory component element part piece unit section segment division portion fraction share quota allotment allocation distribution supply provision furnishing delivery transfer conveyance transport movement motion displacement shift relocation migration journey travel trip expedition tour excursion voyage cruise passage ride drive flight trek hike walk run sprint dash race marathon jog amble stroll saunter wander roam meander ramble traipse trudge plod slog shuffle hobble limp stagger stumble totter sway lurch reel careen pitch roll yaw veer swerve curve bend twist turn loop coil spiral wind snake zigzag crisscross weave bob dip duck dive plunge leap jump spring bound hop skip bounce vault hurdle clamber scramble climb ascend mount scale rise elevate lift raise hoist boost propel thrust push shove nudge jostle bump knock hit strike slap smack thump punch kick stomp stamp pound hammer batter bash bang crash smash collide clash bump grind rub brush graze scrape scratch scuff mark stain smudge smear blot tarnish discolor fade bleach whiten brighten lighten darken deepen enrich enhance intensify strengthen reinforce bolster buttress support uphold maintain sustain preserve protect shield guard defend secure safeguard ensure guarantee warrant vouch pledge promise swear affirm avow declare profess assert claim allege contend argue insist maintain hold believe think suppose assume presume surmise suspect infer deduce conclude reason reckon calculate compute estimate gauge measure weigh balance assess evaluate appraise value rate judge rank score classify categorize group sort order arrange align organize structure format present layout design style format template model pattern framework blueprint plan scheme strategy tactic approach method procedure technique process operation action step measure means way manner mode fashion system mechanism device tool instrument equipment apparatus machine gadget appliance implement utensil accessory component element part piece unit section segment division portion fraction share quota allotment allocation distribution supply provision furnishing delivery transfer conveyance transport movement motion displacement shift relocation migration journey travel trip expedition tour excursion voyage cruise passage ride drive flight trek hike walk run sprint dash race marathon jog amble stroll saunter wander roam meander ramble traipse trudge plod slog shuffle hobble limp stagger stumble totter sway lurch reel careen pitch roll yaw veer swerve curve bend twist turn loop coil spiral wind snake zigzag crisscross weave bob dip duck dive plunge leap jump spring bound hop skip bounce vault hurdle clamber scramble climb ascend mount scale rise elevate lift raise hoist boost propel thrust push shove nudge jostle bump knock hit strike slap smack thump punch kick stomp stamp pound hammer batter bash bang crash smash collide clash bump grind rub brush graze scrape scratch scuff mark stain smudge smear blot tarnish discolor fade bleach whiten brighten lighten darken deepen enrich enhance intensify strengthen reinforce bolster buttress support uphold maintain sustain preserve protect shield guard defend secure safeguard ensure guarantee warrant vouch pledge promise swear affirm avow declare profess assert claim allege contend argue insist maintain hold believe think suppose assume presume surmise suspect infer deduce conclude reason reckon calculate compute estimate gauge measure weigh balance assess evaluate appraise value rate judge rank score classify categorize group sort order arrange align organize structure format present layout design style format template model pattern framework blueprint plan scheme strategy tactic approach method procedure technique process operation action step measure means way manner mode fashion system mechanism device tool instrument equipment apparatus machine gadget appliance implement utensil accessory component element part piece unit section segment division portion fraction share quota allotment allocation distribution supply provision furnishing delivery transfer conveyance transport movement motion displacement shift relocation migration journey travel trip expedition tour excursion voyage cruise passage ride drive flight trek hike walk run sprint dash race marathon jog amble stroll saunter wander roam meander ramble traipse trude