MINNEAPOLIS — A jury was selected on Monday for the trial of the alleged leader of a scheme that federal prosecutors contend exploited the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in the theft of $250 million from a program designed to provide meals for children.
Prosecutors claim this represents one of the largest fraud cases related to the pandemic in the nation. A previous trial linked to this case faced significant issues, including allegations that some defendants and their associates attempted to bribe a juror by offering a bag containing $120,000 in cash. The juror promptly reported the incident to authorities.
Aimee Bock, the founder of Feeding Our Future — the organization prosecutors identify as central to the scheme — faces charges among 70 defendants in total. Out of this group, 30 individuals have already admitted guilt to various charges, including several who were previously slated to participate in this week’s trial with Bock.
One of the defendants from the previous trial received a sentence of 17 and a half years this month, marking the longest prison sentence awarded in connection with this case to date.
Opening statements for the trial involving Bock and her co-defendant are scheduled for February 10, with the entire process anticipated to last approximately four weeks.
The broader context of this case involves allegations by federal prosecutors that the conspiracy was centered around two small nonprofits: Feeding Our Future and Partners in Nutrition. These organizations were sanctioned as sponsors of the Federal Child Nutrition Program prior to the pandemic. Once COVID-19 struck, they dramatically inflated the number of meal distribution sites they claimed to be sponsoring. Feeding Our Future’s federal funding skyrocketed from $3.4 million in 2019 to nearly $200 million in 2021, with accusations that their sponsored sites falsely reported serving thousands of children each day.
According to prosecutors, “Feeding Our Future fraudulently obtained and allocated over $240 million in Federal Child Nutrition Program funding throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.” The amounts included administrative costs that the organization was not entitled to receive.
Additionally, prosecutors assert that “Bock and other Feeding Our Future employees solicited and accepted bribes and kickbacks from entities and individuals under Feeding Our Future’s sponsorship.” They described the operation as a “pay-to-play” scheme, stating that individuals wishing to run fraudulent meal sites had to share a portion of their ill-gotten gains with Feeding Our Future employees.
On behalf of Bock, her attorney Kenneth Udoibok has stated that she is innocent of the charges of fraud, conspiracy, and bribery.
“This woman was deceived and misled by individuals she trusted,” Udoibok remarked in a recent interview. “She had faith in those who pled guilty, believing they would genuinely provide food to those in need.”
Udoibok emphasized that the numerous guilty pleas from other defendants, along with the reduced number of defendants—now just Bock and one co-defendant—will not alter their defense approach. He expressed confidence that the jury would differentiate between his client and others within the complicated case.
“Bock did not accept any bribes or kickbacks, and wasn’t aware of any fraudulent invoices. Her focus was entirely on ensuring access to food for vulnerable populations during the pandemic and the George Floyd protests,” Udoibok added.
An attorney for Bock’s co-defendant, Salim Ahmed Said, did not respond to requests for comment.
In regards to the bribery issue, five individuals faced charges due to attempts to bribe during the initial trial, including three who were actively on trial. Two defendants have already pleaded guilty, while another is expected to enter a guilty plea in March. U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger equated the elaborate bribery scheme to a scene from a mob film.
U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel, who is overseeing the current trial of Bock, has introduced additional protective measures to safeguard the anonymity of jurors and mitigate the risk of any further bribery attempts.
The financial ramifications have stirred political controversy in Minnesota, with the loss of $250 million in taxpayer dollars becoming a significant issue for Democrat Governor Tim Walz. His administration has laid much of the blame on federal authorities, claiming that the FBI advised against halting fund disbursement to protect their investigative process. Critics contend that Walz should have taken more action. Although he won re-election in 2022 relatively easily, the topic gained traction after presidential candidate Kamala Harris included him as a running mate.
In the Minnesota Legislature, with its delicate balance between parties, GOP members have prioritized combating fraud within government programs, extending beyond just the Feeding Our Future case. Meanwhile, Walz has also proposed a series of anti-fraud measures. However, the start of the 2025 legislative session has been marked by contention, making it uncertain whether bipartisan support can be achieved to enact any proposed legislation.
