Pandemic Fraud: Aimee Bock Found Guilty of $250 Million Scheme

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — A federal jury convicted Aimee Bock, the founder of Feeding Our Future, and co-defendant Salim Said on multiple charges of fraud and bribery Wednesday, following a lengthy trial that revealed massive exploitation of child nutrition programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The jury’s decision, reached after nearly five hours of deliberation, found Bock, 44, guilty on all seven counts, while Said, 36, was convicted on all 21 charges, including five counts of money laundering. Both defendants were ordered to be jailed immediately, with U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel stating the nature of their crimes indicated a significant chance of flight.

Judge Brasel said, “The fraud scheme was based on deception,” emphasizing the serious implications of their actions. Bock was visibly emotional as U.S. marshals escorted her and Said from the courtroom.

The case stemmed from a wider investigation involving 70 defendants, more than half of whom have pleaded guilty to charges linked to the fraudulent scheme, which allegedly misappropriated more than $250 million intended for child nutrition during the pandemic.

During the trial, which included more than 20 days of testimonies, prosecutors presented evidence that Bock organized the scheme by creating a fictitious board of directors for Feeding Our Future. Testimony from individuals listed as board members revealed they had little knowledge of the organization and were unaware they were associated with it.

Among those testifying against Bock was Mohamed Ali Hussein, who operated a nonprofit and participated in the scheme by submitting fraudulent meal claims. He detailed how Bock promised him the “American Dream” and facilitated monthly cash kickbacks in exchange for falsifying expenses.

In a turning point, Bock chose to testify in her own defense, a decision her attorney Kenneth Udoibok described as courageous. He expressed disappointment in the verdict, reaffirming his intention to appeal. “There was a mountain of evidence entered by the government and rebutted by us,” he stated.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson, who led the prosecution, emphasized the scale of the operation, stating that Bock and her associates reported serving thousands of children daily while producing far fewer meals. Thompson argued that both defendants exploited a time of crisis for personal gain.

Bock’s testimony acknowledged the existence of fraudulent invoices and irregularities within the program, although she claimed to have acted in good faith. Said corroborated the operation’s functionality, but his statements also hinted at his own financial gains from the fraudulent activities.

The court proceedings also revealed alarming attempts to intervene in the trial process. An alleged attempt to bribe a juror had marked the first trial, hinting at the lengths some are willing to go to in order to subvert justice. Uncovered witness tampering attempts during the trial led to increased security measures, ensuring the integrity of proceedings.

Bock and Said’s convictions are a pivotal moment in a case that highlights extensive fraud within pandemic relief programs, drawing national media scrutiny. As the largest pandemic fraud case in the country, it raises pressing questions about accountability and oversight in government programs designed to support vulnerable populations.

With four more trials set to unfold, the details of this ongoing saga will continue to capture public attention and highlight the broader implications of fraud in emergency situations.