Five of the seven defendants in a federal fraud trial in Minnesota were found guilty of misusing millions of dollars meant to feed children during the pandemic in the largest Covid relief scheme of its kind. The verdict was reached after a juror reported being offered nearly $120,000 in exchange for voting to acquit, prompting the dismissal of that juror and another. The defendants received over $40 million in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds, allegedly using the funds to purchase multiple homes, properties, and luxury vehicles instead of providing nutritious meals to children and low-income families.
The defendants exploited a program designed to help needy children during the pandemic, prioritizing their own greed over the well-being of the community. Eighteen out of 70 people charged in the fraud scheme involving the nonprofit Feeding Our Future have pleaded guilty. Feeding Our Future, a sponsor in the Federal Child Nutrition Program, saw a significant increase in federal funds disbursed, from $3.4 million in 2019 to nearly $200 million in 2021. The trial lasted six weeks, with more than 30 witnesses testifying, and prosecutors highlighted the scale of the defendants’ scheme, calling it a brazen operation of staggering proportions.
The ongoing FBI investigation into the jury tampering incident revealed that a juror was anonymously offered a large sum of cash through a gift bag left with a relative, with the promise of more if the juror voted not guilty. The FBI indicated that all defendants, their attorneys, and prosecutors had access to the juror’s identifying information. Despite one of the defendants likely being involved in the bribe attempt according to U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel, the attorneys for the defendants have denied any involvement. Bribing a juror is a felony that can result in substantial imprisonment, including a 20-year statutory maximum in certain cases.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota declined to comment on the ongoing jury tampering investigation, while the FBI reported conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity in Savage, Minnesota, where at least three of the defendants have purchased homes. The defendants were ordered to surrender their cell phones and taken into custody following the alleged bribery incident. While the investigation continues, the identities of the jurors involved have not been disclosed, and the precise source of the bribe remains unclear. The judge emphasized the severity of bribing a juror and the potential consequences, highlighting the serious nature of the offense.
The Federal Child Nutrition Program funds were intended to provide nutritious meals to children and families in need, a vital service during the challenging times of the pandemic. Instead, the defendants diverted these funds towards personal gain, buying multiple high-value assets at the expense of vulnerable communities. As the investigation progresses and more details emerge regarding the fraudulent scheme and the attempted jury tampering, the impact of such criminal activities on the intended beneficiaries of the program becomes increasingly apparent. The guilty verdict for five of the defendants represents a step towards accountability for their actions and justice for those affected by their exploitation of a critical relief program.
