Attorney General Merrick Garland called it “the largest pandemic relief fraud scheme charged to date.”
Nearly 50 people were charged on Tuesday with carrying out a sweeping COVID-19 fraud scheme in which they allegedly stole close to $250 million from a federal program meant to feed hungry children in Minneapolis.relief fraud schemeFederal prosecutors said the 47 defendants pulled off the massive scam by taking advantage of loosened rules and oversight during the pandemic. They allegedly blew the cash meant for underserved kids on fancy cars and luxury real estate.
Prosecutors allege that Minnesota-based charity Feeding Our Future took advantage of a COVID rule-changes that allowed for student meal-assistance programs to operate off school grounds, as well as for the involvement of for-profit restaurants. The money instead went toward luxury vehicles and the purchase of real estate in Minnesota, Ohio, Kentucky and even as far afield as Kenya and Turkey, the feds allege.
Andrew Luger, US Attorney for the District of Minnesota, called it a “brazen scheme of staggering proportions.”To that end, the defendants are accused of creating fraudulent invoices for food purchases, and even attendance sheets with fake names of the children supposedly served.
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