MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA — Aimee Bock, the founder of the nonprofit Feeding Our Future, has been ordered to forfeit millions of dollars in assets following her conviction in a massive welfare fraud scheme. A federal judge issued the preliminary order targeting ill-gotten gains from the $250 million scandal, which prosecutors called the nation's largest COVID-19 fraud.
Co-Defendant Salim Said Convicted
Bock’s co-defendant, 36-year-old Salim Ahmed Said, was also convicted for his significant role in the ruse. Said, who owned the now-defunct Safari Restaurant, oversaw one of the phony kitchens used to generate fraudulent invoices.
Prosecutors proved that the pair recruited a network to operate fake meal sites, submitting attendance sheets with bogus names of thousands of children. They falsely claimed to have served 91 million meals to secure funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Funds Spent on Luxury Real Estate and Cars
Instead of feeding underserved children, authorities state the group spent more than $240 million on international travel, luxury cars, and real estate in Minnesota, Ohio, Kentucky, Kenya, and Turkey. Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa Kirkpatrick called the defendants "thieves" who used a time of crisis to enrich themselves.
Bock must now surrender her Porsche Panamera, designer handbags, jewelry, and approximately $5.2 million held in nonprofit accounts. Her attorney, Kenneth Udoibok, stated he plans to appeal the verdict.
Guilty Verdicts and Reaction
Bock was found guilty of seven counts, including wire fraud and bribery, while Said was convicted of 20 counts, including money laundering. Both are currently being held without bail as they await sentencing.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz condemned the swindlers for preying on a system meant to care for children. He emphasized the need for "more firewalls" to prevent criminals from exploiting aid programs in the future.
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