Minnesota Feeding Our Future leader gets 41 years for $250 million fraud

Aimee Bock, the leader of the Minnesota non-profit Feeding Our Future, was sentenced to 41 years in federal prison on Thursday after being convicted last year of orchestrating a $250 million scheme to defraud a federally funded child nutrition program, officials said. The Justice Department has described the case as the largest known fraud against U.S. government relief programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prosecutors said Bock, 45, used her organization to submit fraudulent claims tied to the child nutrition program and direct proceeds to those involved in the scheme. More than 70 other people have been charged in connection with the case.

Federal prosecutors had sought a 50-year prison term. U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel imposed a sentence of 500 months, or 41 years and eight months, citing Bock’s central role in the fraud.

Judge cites central role; prosecutors sought longer term

Bock addressed the court ahead of sentencing. Officials said Brasel concluded a lengthy sentence was warranted given the scale of the fraud and Bock’s leadership role.

The case has drawn national political attention. It has been invoked by former President Donald Trump as part of his rationale for increased immigration enforcement in Minnesota.

Separate Minnesota welfare case brings new federal charges

On the same day as Bock’s sentencing, the Justice Department announced new charges against 15 people accused of defrauding Medicaid and other welfare programs in Minnesota of $90 million, officials said.

The Feeding Our Future case and the additional welfare-program allegations have intensified scrutiny of oversight and controls in federally funded assistance programs.

Court proceedings in both matters are expected to continue as the remaining defendants fight the charges or move toward trial and sentencing.