BREAKING: Five Somalis convicted in Minneapolis for embezzling funds intended to feed hungry children

Five Somalis were convicted in Minnesota for stealing money from a COVID fund intended to feed hungry children. This comes after a juror in the case was dismissed following a bribery attempt by those affiliated with the defendants. Two individuals were acquitted in the case involving dozens of people.  

The five convicted were charged with wire fraud, federal programs bribery and money laundering. The individuals had been charged with stealing over $40 million from Feeding Our Future, funded by federal food-aid programs. Instead of using the fund to feed children, the five used those funds to enhance their own wealth, buying cryptocurrency, luxury goods, and properties. 

Those on trial were Somali immigrants who had settled in Minnesota and were ages 23 to 51. They lived across Minneapolis and St. Paul. All told, 47 defendants have been charged. The charges cover conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and bribery. 

It was one of the largest fraud cases, prosecutors said, that the Department of Justice had prosecuted in many years. They could see sentences of up to 20 years in federal prison. 

Those convicted are all connected to the Dar Al-Farooq mosque, Andy Ngo reported. Those convicted are Abdiaziz S. Farah, 35, Mohamed J. Ismail, 51, Abdimajid Mohamed Nur, 23, Mukhtar Mohamed Shariff, 33, and Hayat Mohamed Nur, 27. 

"Said Shafii Farah and Abdiwahab Maalim Aftin, whose defense lawyers had said they had only minor roles in the food distribution operation, were acquitted," the New York Times reported on the two that were acquitted.  

Criminal charges were announced against 47 defendants in September of 2022 for a $250 million fraud scheme.  

"These indictments, alleging the largest pandemic relief fraud scheme charged to date, underscore the Department of Justice’s sustained commitment to combating pandemic fraud and holding accountable those who perpetrate it," said Attorney General Merrick Garland at the time. 

"In partnership with agencies across government, the Justice Department will continue to bring to justice those who have exploited the pandemic for personal gain and stolen from American taxpayers." 

"This was a brazen scheme of staggering proportions," said U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger for the District of Minnesota. "These defendants exploited a program designed to provide nutritious food to needy children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, they prioritized their own greed, stealing more than a quarter of a billion dollars in federal funds to purchase luxury cars, houses, jewelry, and coastal resort property abroad. I commend the work of the skilled investigators and prosecutors who unraveled the lies, deception, and mountains of false documentation to bring this complex case to light." 

Additional trials are expected in the coming weeks.