USA States government bodies billed 48 individuals Minnesota with conspiracy along with other counts with what they stated Tuesday was the biggest pandemic-related fraud plan yet, stealing $250 million from the federal program that gives meals to low-earnings children.
Federal prosecutors repeat the defendants produced firms that claimed to become offering food to thousands of children across Minnesota, then searched for reimbursement for individuals meals with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s food diet programs. Prosecutors say couple of meals were really offered, and also the defendants used the cash to purchase luxury cars, property and jewellery.
“This $250 million may be the floor,” Andy Luger, the U.S. attorney for Minnesota, stated in a news conference. “Our analysis continues.”
Most of the firms that claimed to become serving food were backed with a nonprofit known as Feeding Our Future, which posted the companies’ claims for reimbursement. Feeding Our Future’s founder and executive director, Aimee Bock, was among individuals indicted, and government bodies say she yet others in her own organization posted the fraudulent claims for reimbursement and received kickbacks.
Bock’s attorney, Kenneth Udoibok, stated the indictment “doesn’t indicate guilt or innocence.” He stated he wouldn’t comment further until seeing the indictment.