Guilty Verdicts in Major $250 Million Feeding Our Future Fraud Case

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — A federal jury found Aimee Bock, former executive director of Feeding Our Future, and co-defendant Salim Said guilty of multiple charges related to a massive $250 million fraud scheme on Wednesday. The jury reached the verdict after five hours of deliberation.

Bock, 44, of Apple Valley, was convicted on all seven counts she faced, while Said, 36, of Plymouth, was found guilty on 21 counts, including federal programs bribery and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Each count of wire fraud carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

The trial, which lasted five weeks and featured testimony from over 30 witnesses, spotlighted one of the largest pandemic-related fraud cases in U.S. history, involving 70 defendants. U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson described the jury’s swift verdict as an affirmation of the prosecution’s thorough case.

“The fact that they returned a verdict so quickly speaks volumes to the job that our team did,” Thompson stated.

The case centered around Feeding Our Future’s exploitation of federal child nutrition programs during COVID-19, with prosecutors alleging Bock and Said misrepresented meal counts and falsified invoices to siphon off taxpayer money meant for needy children. Prosecutors argued that Bock and Said enriched themselves through this scheme, with Said pocketing at least $5.5 million and Bock nearly $2 million.

During the trial, jurors were presented with extensive evidence, including banking records and testimony regarding fraudulent practices. The government claimed that Bock utilized her position to facilitate the scheme, while Said was accused of overseeing operations at his restaurant that purportedly served thousands of meals per day.

Said’s attorney, Adrian Montez, suggested that his client’s enterprise was originally legitimate but eventually corrupted by others. In contrast, Bock’s attorney Kenneth Udoibok criticized the prosecution’s strategy, arguing that jurors were prejudiced by the rapid deliberation, suggesting they may have made up their minds before the discussions began.

“I’m disappointed. I didn’t think the government met its burden to prove guilt,” Udoibok expressed following the verdict. He indicated plans to appeal the decision. After the verdict was read, Bock was visibly upset and was comforted by her attorney before being taken into custody with Said.

Throughout the proceedings, jurors heard testimonies that painted a picture of a mismanaged organization, with Bock asserting she relied on her staff, claiming ignorance of any fraudulent activity. Prosecutors, however, contended that Bock’s “willful blindness” did not exonerate her from responsibility.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Harry Jacobs emphasized, “You can’t say, ‘I didn’t know.’ You can’t close your eyes to the obvious to avoid responsibility.”

After the verdict, Judge Nancy Brasel indicated that both defendants would remain in custody until their sentencing, noting the deceitful nature of their actions warranted increased precautions.

The Feeding Our Future scandal has raised concerns over systemic failures in oversight of federal meal programs, prompting the Minnesota Department of Education to commend law enforcement for their actions while emphasizing their commitment to ensuring resources reach children in need.

As for next steps, a dozen additional defendants in the fraud scheme are set for trials later this year, while of the 70 charged, 37 have already pleaded guilty. The federal government has begun seizing funds linked to the fraudulent activity, having retrieved over $75 million thus far.