Summary: A federal jury convicted Aimee Bock, founder of the Feeding Our Future nonprofit, of wire fraud, conspiracy and bribery in a scheme prosecutors say funneled roughly $250 million in federal child-nutrition reimbursements. The fraud allegedly expanded during pandemic-era rule changes, with the network claiming about 91 million meals. Prosecutors say Bock approved bogus sites, used intimidation and false accusations of racism to pressure regulators, and helped sustain a system of inflated claims and kickbacks. The broader investigation has produced dozens of indictments and additional convictions.
Feeding Our Future 'Mastermind' Convicted: How Aimee Bock Allegedly Orchestrated a Massive $250M Meal-Program Fraud
Overview: Prosecutors say Aimee Bock, founder and longtime executive director of the Feeding Our Future nonprofit, was the alleged "mastermind" behind a sprawling fraud scheme that siphoned nearly $250 million in federal child-nutrition reimbursements tied largely to Minnesota’s Somali community. A federal jury convicted Bock on all counts she faced, including wire fraud, conspiracy and bribery.
Rise of a Sponsor: According to court filings, Feeding Our Future operated modestly before the COVID-19 pandemic, handling roughly $3 million to $4 million annually in federal reimbursements. Emergency rule changes during the pandemic relaxed oversight and, prosecutors say, enabled a rapid and unprecedented expansion: the network ultimately claimed to have served about 91 million meals and sought nearly $250 million in reimbursements (later filings and sentencing documents described total impact closer to $300 million).
Alleged Methods: Prosecutors allege Bock used her authority as executive director to approve meal sites (including sites they say were fake), certify reimbursement claims submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), and intimidate or cut off operators who resisted inflated meal counts. Witnesses described a system in which operators paid kickbacks to intermediaries or Feeding Our Future employees to avoid having their payments stopped. "If I say no, I’m not getting any more money," testified one site operator, Qamar Hassan.
Accusations of Racism and Legal Tactics: Trial exhibits show Bock and others accused MDE regulators of racism when officials questioned suspicious claims. In 2021, Feeding Our Future sued the state alleging discrimination; a judge ordered reimbursements to resume, a ruling prosecutors say allowed the scheme to continue and expand. Prosecutors contend those false claims of racism were used to pressure regulators and keep federal funds flowing.
Role and Evidence: Witnesses characterized Bock’s power starkly: a cooperating witness, Hanna Marekegn, testified that Bock was treated like a "God" because she could both authorize large payments and shut off the cash flow. Prosecutors presented exhibits tying Bock to reimbursement checks, a large $30,000 cash withdrawal, and communications used to direct approvals—evidence they say shows she acted as the scheme’s gatekeeper.
Financial Trail Beyond Bock: While prosecutors did not accuse Bock of personally buying mansions or luxury cars, trial exhibits show more than $1 million flowed to her longtime boyfriend, Empress Malcolm Watson Jr., who appears in photos beside luxury vehicles and designer items. Watson has not been charged in the Feeding Our Future prosecutions, but he faces six tax-related felony counts alleging underreported income and unpaid taxes exceeding $64,000, and he is being held on an unrelated felony probation violation.
Broader Impact and Prosecutions: Bock’s co-defendant Salim Said was convicted on multiple counts, including wire fraud, bribery and money laundering. At least 78 people have been indicted as part of the broader federal investigation into Minnesota meal-program fraud, and court documents shown at trial indicate many accused defendants spent illicit proceeds on large homes, luxury vehicles and property overseas.
Legal and Community Consequences: The case has raised questions about oversight of emergency program rules, the vulnerability of large-scale federal nutrition programs to fraud, and how accusations of discrimination can affect regulatory responses. Sentencing and continued prosecutions in the wide-ranging investigation are expected to further clarify accountability and financial recovery efforts.
Note: All descriptions of wrongdoing reflect allegations and prosecutor statements shown in court exhibits or trial testimony. Verdicts and charges are noted where convictions or formal charges were reported.
