Somali immigrants implicated in $250 million fraud scheme

A large fraud case in Minnesota has led to charges against 70 people, mostly Somali immigrants, for stealing $250 million from federal child nutrition programs. They allegedly exploited a nonprofit called Feeding Our Future to submit fake meal counts and invoices meant to feed children. This scheme ran from March 2020 to January 2022, during which time key oversight was weakened due to COVID-19. Investigations revealed that many claims were inflated, with Feeding Our Future funneling nearly $200 million to fraudulent sites in 2021 alone. So far, 37 individuals have pleaded guilty, and 7 have been convicted, while others await trial. The case has drawn public attention and criticism, as many accused have used stolen funds for luxury purchases. One individual notably spoke out against the corruption, highlighting concerns about the community's reputation. Despite the serious nature of the fraud, state officials have mostly avoided comment. A U.S. attorney called the case "the shame of Minnesota," while acknowledging the efforts of prosecutors who worked to uncover the scheme.