Aimee Bock, founder of the Minnesota-based nonprofit Feeding Our Future, was convicted Thursday for her role in a $250 million fraud scheme tied to federal child nutrition funds during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A federal jury found Bock guilty on seven counts, including wire fraud, bribery, and money laundering. Prosecutors said the defendants falsely claimed to have served 91 million meals, fraudulently receiving nearly $250 million in funds intended for children. Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa Kirkpatrick said the money funded “lavish lifestyles” rather than meals.
The scheme exploited an expansion of the Agriculture Department’s Federal Child Nutrition Program, which allowed private restaurants to distribute meals with nonprofit sponsorship. Prosecutors presented 1,300 fake invoices during the trial, showing millions were spent on luxury items including real estate and cars.
Five people were additionally charged with attempting to bribe a juror with $120,000 in cash. Of the 70 charged in the case, 37 have pleaded guilty and five have been convicted.
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