Minneapolis, MN (MinnesotaNow) – A key figure in Minnesota’s Feeding Our Future fraud scheme has been apprehended overseas.
Federal Authorities Announce Arrest in Somalia
The U.S. Attorney for Minnesota today announced that 42-year-old Abdikerm Abdelahi Eidleh was taken into custody Thursday in Mogadishu, Somalia. The Burnsville man is among the defendants indicted in connection with the massive fraud scheme in September 2022.
Prosecutors Call Defendant a Central Figure in Scheme
He is described by prosecutors as one of the orchestrators of the fraud scheme and a top assistant to convicted ringleader Aimee Bock, who was earlier convicted and sentenced to more than 40 years in federal prison. The indictment against Eidleh contains 31 counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, federal programs bribery, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering.
Top Assistant to Fraud Scheme Ringleader
The news release issued by federal prosecutors says Eidleh was an employee of the Feeding Our Future organization and was responsible for recruiting and supporting program sites under Feeding Our Future’s sponsorship. It is alleged that he and other employees solicited and received bribes and kickbacks from individuals and organizations seeking approval to operate fraudulent federal child nutrition program sites during the pandemic.
Millions of Dollars Funneled into Shell Companies
It is also alleged that Eidleh established his own feeding sites and fraudulently sought reimbursement by claiming to serve meals to thousands of children per day. Federal prosecutors say Eidleh deposited more than $5 million in kickbacks, bribes, and other fraud proceeds into accounts associated with his shell companies.
“This defendant was a central figure in one of the largest fraud schemes in Minnesota history,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Department of Justice’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “He not only stole taxpayer dollars, but he also robbed vulnerable children of critical resources they desperately needed. Rather than answer for his crimes in the United States, he fled to Somalia in a futile attempt to evade justice. That attempt ended thanks to the exceptional work of our FBI partners. The Department of Justice will continue to track down and prosecute fraudsters wherever they run and wherever they hide.”
#News Man Taken into Custody in Somalia for Role in Feeding Our Future Fraud Scheme…