There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. A nonprofit newsroom dedicated to reporting for Minnesotas immigrants and communities of color. Subscribe to FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul youtube.com/channel/UClwddNv0Cr6SIEGkzVK886w?sub_confirmation=1 Watch FOX 9 Live: fox9.com/live FOX 9 is your, Feeding Our Future: Founder, 46 others charged in 'massive' fraud scheme, The founder of Feeding Our Future and 46 others have been charged in what federal officials are calling the largest pandemic fraud in the country. Joey Peters is a reporter for Sahan Journal. Aimee Bock is the founder and executive director of Feeding Our Future, a nonprofit organization that was a sponsor participating in the Federal Child Nutrition Program. But, federal authorities say, the meal count sheets, attendance rosters, and invoices were fraudulent. These rosters were fabricated and created using fake names., For example, the government contends, one roster was created using names from a website called www.listofrandomnames.com. 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Judge John Guthmann of Ramsey County District Court ordered the department to pay $35,750 to Feeding Our Future and $11,750 in attorney's fees for failing to follow through on an earlier. Senate passes Drivers Licenses for All, sending bill to governors desk to be signed into law, Hmong elders lead campaign for answers in St. Paul police killing of Yia Xiong, Governor Tim Walzs proposed rebates and tax increases evoke relief, anxiety among Minnesotans, Federal government gives $2M to plan land bridge above Interstate 94 in St. Paul, It brought purpose: Two friends start Fire Mountain Fabrics in between chemo sessions. Udoibok: I was a prosecutor before. READ NEXT: The Death of Queen Elizabeth II, Aimee Bock: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. Bock: We spoke with our respective attorneys and reviewed the documents, but no, it wasnt through a realtor. Have questions about your recurring donation to Sahan Journal, want to change your donation, or want to become a sustainer? We actually got additional services beyond the scope of what was contracted, but that money was spent legally within the realms of the program. Abdihakim Ahmed created ASA Limited LLC, a site that received approximately $5 million in fraudulent Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. No paywalls. CACFP reimburses adult daycare and childcare centers at free, reduced-price, or paid rates for eligible meals and snacks served to eligible, targeting benefits to those children and seniors most in need. Welcome to the official YouTube channel of KARE 11 News. Then, Feeding Our Future reviews these records and decides whether they meet federal guidelines. "These defendants exploited a program designed to provide nutritious food to needy children during the COVID-19 pandemic. An indictment is not an indication of guilt or innocence. If its a conflict of interest, thats a whole different story. The defendants claimed to be feeding thousands of children per day, prosecutors said. pic.twitter.com/kIrHaDdRrK. For the Pioneer Press, she has covered the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners, the northern Ramsey County suburbs, and weekend breaking news. Shes met all her burden under the law. Her LinkedIn page says Bock has worked as a teacher and for a variety of other nonprofit organizations. Many of the companies that claimed to be serving food were sponsored by Feeding Our Future, which submitted the companies' claims for reimbursement. Her lawyer says documents seized by the FBI will prove her point, and predicts she wont be charged. RELATED | Scammers use Biden's student loan forgiveness program to steal information. So when I was approached about selling it, it was a relief. Litigation is ongoing and the non-profit said it would also protest in front of the MDE building in Roseville. MDE spokesperson Ashleigh Norris said the department cannot comment on ongoing litigation. Send us an email at contact@sahanjournal.com. But its not all good news. Powered by. Bock was one of 47 defendants accused in the $250 million fraud scheme that exploited a federally funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic, DOJ says. In the lawsuit, the department alleges that Feeding Our Futures auditor failed to file the audit properly, did not update its budget worksheet, has been slow to hire an accountant, that its applications was riddled with typos, and that it is investigating four complaints filed against the non-profit. Abdinasir Abshir ran the Stigma-Free Mankato site. And what is that information? Would love your thoughts, please comment. "These sites, created and operated by the defendants and others, fraudulently claimed to be serving meals to thousands of children a day within just days or weeks of being formed.". Bock paid the money to Handy Helpers, a company run by her boyfriend, which she said did extensive and ongoing remodeling on roughly 10,000 square feet of office space in Feeding Our Futures St. Anthony headquarters. Aimee Bock blames a feud with the Minnesota Department of Education for a federal probe into alleged misuse of food aid. Bock previously told Sahan Journal that the $310,000 transaction actually involved the purchase of a daycare business that she founded in 2019. Udoibok said that after seizing scores of documents during last months multiple raids, the FBI now has all of the relevant information. Three FBI search warrant affidavits, unsealed last month in federal court, allege that Bock participated in a wide scheme defrauding the federal government of millions of dollars earmarked for feeding underserved children. For serving as a sponsor to Stigma-Free Willmar, Feeding Our Future received nearly $500,000 in administrative fees. The stories that come from Minnesotas diverse communities are priceless. The process was supposed to work like this: Every month, Feeding Our Future supplied the Minnesota Department of Education with reports on the number of meals their contractors served. indictment: Aimee Marie Bock, 41, of Apple Valley, Minnesota, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, federal programs bribery. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Aimee Bock is the founder and executive director of Feeding Our Future, a nonprofit organization in Minnesota that participated in the Federal Child Nutrition Program. Anytime theres a conflict of interest, the people involved in the conflict are removed from the decision. Current Partners board members declined KARE 11's requests as well. Sahan Journal publishes deep, reported news for and with immigrants and communities of colorthe kind of stories you wont find anywhere else. The USDA then provides MDE federal reimbursement funds on a per-meal basis. Coupled that with the fact that it was the week of George Floyds murder. She was an MNCPD-approved trainer, a board member of Early Childhood Family Education and a substitute teacher. Aimee Marie Bock, 41, of Apple Valley, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery and federal programs bribery. Feeding Our Future would then pass the federal money down to its contractorsreligious institutions, non-profits, and other groupsthat were supposed to use the money to feed children. Help us keep them free to read for everyone. She . Do you have a news tip or story idea to share with us? She is required to do auditing and inspection of sites three times a year. To read that all of my hard work is being twisted into something that its not is hard. Cody Fohrenkam sentenced in the killing of Deshaun Hill Jr. Black longevity depends on community health in Minnesota, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. pic.twitter.com/1Sf15oxAr9. The law does not require her to sit at 200 centers and count the kids. Many of these kickbacks were paid in cash or disguised as consulting fees paid to shell companies created by Feeding Our Future employees to make them appear legitimate.. The Associate Press contributed to this report. About time, given that it is under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for misuse of federal aid, running into millions of dollars. Unlock our in-depth reporting by signing up for our free newsletter. She has more than 15 years of experience at daily newspapers. Federal prosecutors say they may not be done filing charges in the case. The charges against her include wire fraud and conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery. That Feeding Our Future grew too fast. Eidleh was an employee of Feeding Our Future who solicited and received bribes and kickbacks from individuals and sites under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future. Bock and Feeding Our Future submitted these claims for reimbursement, the indictment alleges, despite knowing they were fraudulent. Cloud, Waite Park, and St. Paul. ". Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc. The indictments charge Bock with overseeing a massive fraud scheme carried out by sites under Feeding Our Future's sponsorship. I believe it was his company that purchased it, and theyve owned childcare centers in the past. The defendants are facing a range of charges, including conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and paying and receiving illegal kickbacks. The charges against those allegedly involved include conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering and bribery. We invite you to learn more about the food program and the financial benefit available to your program. The CACFP is the sister program to the Free and Reduced School Lunch Programandhas been providingmeals through a variety of programs since 1968. Bock said the $310,000 was for the purchase of a childcare center called The Learning Journey that she founded years ago but never got around to opening. Four free-food nonprofits are suing the Dept. That left me in a position where I was opening a business to serve children who were confined to their homes. Want more? MINNEAPOLIS -- The founder and executive director of Feeding Our Future was released from custody earlier this week after she surrendered her passport and agreed not to travel outside of. Bock went on to work for an education trade group called Minnesota Association for the Education of Young Children, where she helped child care organizations manage accreditation. That site (Safari Restaurant) was so busy that at one point they had a waver for traffic because the streets were being blocked with families coming to get meals for their children. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. Whoops! We had no convenience stores. Types of Programs Served by FEEDING OUR FUTURE. The founder of Feeding Our Future and 46 others have been charged in what federal officials are calling the largest pandemic fraud in the country. Claims for reimbursement, the meal count sheets, attendance rosters, exclusive... Feeding Our Future submitted these claims for reimbursement, the indictment alleges, despite they. Channel of KARE 11 news business to serve children who were confined their! 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