Professor Elam

10/18/23

In Minnesota 60 people have been charged with money laundering, wire fraud, bribery, and conspiracy for orchestrating a $250 million fraud scheme on a nonprofit federally funded nutrition program in 2022. The nonprofit was funded to help feed needy children during the COVID-19 pandemic, called Feeding our Future (FOF). The leader of the scheme was founder and executive director, Aimee Bock. The director and employees were opening shell accounts to enroll in the program and create fake documentation of the children they were feeding to submit for reimbursement by sponsors and Minnesota. In 2021 FOF was receiving and disbursing $200 million of federal funds, $18 million in administrative fees, and employees would bribe and solicit to sponsors so they could receive incentives to their shell companies. They would use their incentives to purchase houses, luxurious cars, and jewelry. When MDE investigated the number of claims that were submitted, Aimee insured them that sponsors were feeding the children and accused them of unfair scrutiny when they wanted more proof. MDE decided to discontinue their support for the program, and Aimee sued them for discrimination leading to the discovery of the scandal. During the investigation of the reports, the number of children that were reported to be fed didn’t match the population for those areas. Aimee Bock pled not guilty and was released. It really is sad to see a case like this, people taking advantage of “good faith” in helping the needy. No one expects ill intentions from a nonprofit to help children, who doesn’t want to help children in need. I hope further investigations leads to Aimee’s arrest.

References:  

F.B.I. Sees ‘Massive Fraud’ in Groups’ Food Programs for Needy Children. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/08/us/politics/food-aid-nonprofits-fraud-investigation.html