SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MAY 01: Canned tomatoes line the shelves of a pantry at the SF-Marin Food Bank on May 1, 2014 in San Francisco, California. Food banks are bracing for higher food costs and an increased demand for food from the needy as food prices are skyrocketing due to a reduction in food stamps and drought conditions in several states. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The Justice Department says they have uncovered the largest pandemic scheme, charging 47 people with allegedly stealing $250 million from a pandemic food program meant for kids in Minnesota.
U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger said during a news briefing:
Over a short period of time, these 47 defendants engaged in a brazen scheme of staggering proportions.
The indictment announced on Tuesday consists of six groups connected to the Minnesota nonprofit group, Feeding Our Future.
The accused face several federal crimes–wire fraud, money laundering, conspiracy, and paying and receiving illegal kickbacks.
Authorities say the founder of Feed Our Children, Aimee Bock of Apple Valley Minnesota, was the culprit behind the scheme.
According to the indictment, Bock is accused of recruiting others to create fake sites and claim they were falsely feeding children.
“The defendants also created and submitted false documentation to carry out the scheme. They submitted fraudulent meal count sheets purporting to document the number of children and meals served at each site. The defendants submitted false invoices purporting to document the purchase of food to be served to children at the sites. ”
The DOJ’s press release stated the organization “also submitted fake attendance rosters purporting to list the names and ages of the children receiving meals at the sites each day” and even used “a website called www.listofrandomnames.com” to create fake names.
The DOJ accuses the defendants of buying luxury cars and homes. They are also charged with buying commercial real estate in Kenya, Turkey, Ohio, and Kentucky.
