Minnesota Officials Flagged Feeding Our Future Fraud Months Before the Pandemic, Former Workers Say

State employees in Minnesota say they detected warning signs of a large fraud scheme tied to the charity Feeding Our Future as early as July 2019 — months before the COVID-19 pandemic — but encountered pressure not to pursue those questions, according to multiple former Minnesota Department of Education workers.

What Officials Found

Former state staffers say Feeding Our Future initially submitted roughly $3.4 million in meal-reimbursement claims in 2019. Those early submissions contained numbers staff described as "not consistent" and "not realistic" compared with normal school and daycare meal distributions. Employees began documenting what they called concerning behavior by Aimee Bock, who later was convicted in the scheme.

How The Fraud Grew

Federal prosecutors say the charity later claimed to have provided 91 million meals and received nearly $250 million in federal nutrition reimbursements. Investigators allege much of that money did not reach children but was diverted to fund lavish lifestyles for some associated with the charity.

Those federal nutrition funds originate with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and are administered in each state — in Minnesota, through the Department of Education — historically routed to schools and daycare centers to feed low-income, food-insecure, or disabled children.

State Pushback And Litigation

As the pandemic arrived in 2020, some safeguards were relaxed to ensure that residents in need could access meals. Former employees say the scheme accelerated during that period. When state specialists halted payments or sought additional documentation, the charity stepped up pressure. In 2020 Feeding Our Future sued Minnesota, alleging the state subjected the nonprofit to burdensome procedures and discriminatory treatment. A federal judge dismissed the suit after the FBI executed search warrants and disclosed its investigation in January 2022.

Criminal Cases And Ongoing Investigations

Federal prosecutors later unsealed criminal charges related to Feeding Our Future and linked schemes. Authorities have charged dozens of people; across related investigations the total charged has approached the high 80s, and roughly 61 convictions have been reported. Aimee Bock was convicted and is awaiting sentencing; her attorney says she will appeal and denies she intimidated state employees.

Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick said those convicted "took advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic to carry out a massive fraud scheme that stole money meant to feed children." Then-Attorney General Merrick Garland described the case as one of the largest pandemic-era relief frauds.

Political And Community Fallout

The case has inflamed political debate in Minnesota and nationally. Many alleged co-conspirators are from the state's Somali community, and the prosecutions have prompted criticism and inflammatory rhetoric from national political figures. Governor Tim Walz has condemned anti-Somali statements, saying the criminal acts of some should not demonize an entire community. Meanwhile, House Republicans have opened an inquiry into the governor's handling of the cases.

Scale Of The Losses

Federal sources involved in ongoing investigations say the total amount lost across Feeding Our Future and related schemes now exceeds $1 billion. Investigations are continuing into other alleged COVID-era frauds in Minnesota, including schemes tied to housing assistance and behavioral health services.

Note: Where numbers and legal outcomes vary in public reporting, this article uses the most widely reported figures from federal prosecutors and court records and notes where charges and conviction totals have shifted as investigations continue.