MINNEAPOLIS (NewsNation) — Newly obtained court documents allege that defendants in Minnesota’s massive child nutrition fraud scheme spent millions in taxpayer funds intended for hungry children on lavish purchases including island vacations, waterfront properties and luxury vehicles.
Federal trial exhibits show accused fraudsters celebrating a honeymoon in the Maldives with champagne, purchasing entire buildings in Kenya and acquiring high-end items, including a 2021 Porsche Macan and expensive jewelry.
Text messages recovered by investigators depict individuals flaunting their wealth, including one photo showing a box containing $250,000 in cash.
Lawmaker demands probe after fraud allegations in Maine’s Medicaid program
“They used this money that was supposed to be used for feeding children to buy houses in Minnesota, resort property and real estate in Kenya and Turkey, luxury cars, commercial property, jewelry and much more,” former U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger said when announcing the indictments in September 2022.
Text messages reveal cash boxes, international wire transfers
The spending revelations come as federal authorities have indicted 86 people in connection with the Feeding Our Future fraud case, a big COVID-19-era fraud scheme…