Verdict for the alleged leader of a pandemic mn mn food fraud scheme

Minneapolis (AP) – A jury found the alleged leader of a Massive pandemic fraud case In Minnesota, guilty of all charges on Wednesday for their role in a scheme that federal prosecutors say it stole $ 250 million of a program aimed at feeding the needy children.

Aimee Bock – The founder of Feeding Our Future, the group that prosecutors say it was in the heart of the plot – was one of the 70 accused accused in the general case, which is said to be One of the largest frauds in the country Against Covid-19 Socorro programs.

The case of Minnesota has also drawn attention for an attempt to bribe a jury in an earlier trial and witnesses of manipulation at the Bock trial, which began last month. Thirty -seven defendants already declared guilty, while Five were convicted in a group of defendants who were tried last year.

The jury also condemned a coacked, said Salim Ahmed, the owner of the now missing Safari restaurant in Minneapolis.

Bock and said they were accused of multiple positions that involve conspiracy, cable and bribery fraud. He was also accused of money laundering. Bock was allegedly pocketed with almost $ 2 million, while he said he was accused of taking around $ 5 million. Both maintained their innocence and testified in their own name.

In final arguments, prosecutors said the evidence showed that Bock and said they exploited the chaos of the first days of the pandemic by presenting the falsified paperwork to enrich themselves and could not provide almost as many meals to needed children as they affirmed.

The defense lawyers did not argue that there was mass fraud, but insisted that their clients were not responsible for it.

Bock’s lawyer said that dishonest people cheated her and tried to cut them every time she suspected fraud. Said’s lawyer blamed his client’s business partner.

Federal prosecutors alleged that the conspiracy revolved around the feeding of our future and another small non -profit organization that was approved as sponsors of the Federal Child Nutrition Program before the pandemic. They grew dramatically as the pandemic strengthens. Feeding our future went from receiving and paying $ 3.4 million in federal funds in 2019 to almost $ 200 million in 2021. Food sites sponsored by feeding our falsely claimed future that serves thousands of children daily, prosecutors.

In addition to obtaining and fraudulently disburseing more than $ 240 million in federal funds, prosecutors, Bocks and others say feeding our future employees also requested and received bribes and bribes from other participants connected to the alleged matching payment scheme.

The defendants are being tried in several groups. He First judgment was affected by an alleged attempt by some defendants and people linked to them to bribe a jury with a $ 120,000 bag in cash. That jury went directly to the police. That led to more strict security for Bock’s trial, and the additional precautions ordered by the United States District Judge, Nancy Brasel.

Despite all that, a Accusation of witness manipulation It arose halfway through the Bock trial. A defendant scheduled for the trial in August approached a government witness who had to testify against Bock and said and asked him to speak with him in the bathroom of a court. That witness declined and, on the other hand, told his lawyer, who informed prosecutors. Abshir soon accepted declare yourself guilty of a wire fraud load and for your manipulation attempt to be considered in a longer sentence recommendation, which is not binding for the judge.

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