Feeding Our Future fraud suspect captured in Somalia after 4-year hunt
Minnesota fraud mastermind faces prison time over $250 million scheme
Emily Compagno and the ‘Outnumbered’ panel discuss the Minnesota COVID fraud case in which Aimee Bock faces prison time for a $250 million scheme. The controversy also highlighted allegations that state officials were unaware and uncooperative of federal investigations, prompting calls for accountability from the likes of Kayleigh McEnany and JD Vance.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A fugitive accused of helping orchestrate a $250 million Minnesota fraud scheme that abused the federal child nutrition program was captured in Somalia this week after nearly four years on the run, federal authorities said.
Abdikerm Abdelahi Eidleh, 42, of Burnsville, Minnesota, was taken into custody Thursday in Mogadishu, Somalia, according to the Department of Justice.
Prosecutors allege Eidleh was one of the architects of the “Feeding Our Future” fraud scheme, which authorities described as one of the largest fraud cases in Minnesota history.
Eidleh was charged in connection with the scheme on September 13, 2022.
TIMELINE OF THE ‘LARGEEST COVID-19 FRAUD SCHEME’ IN THE USA
Federal authorities allege that Abdikerm Abdelahi Eidleh helped orchestrate a $250 million fraud scheme that exploited the federal child nutrition program in Minnesota. (Getty Images; FBI)
He faces 31 charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to bribe federal programs, bribery of federal programs, conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering.
“This defendant was a central figure in one of the largest fraud schemes in Minnesota history,” Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Anti-Fraud Section said in a statement.
“Not only did he steal taxpayer money, he also stole critical resources that vulnerable children desperately need,” McDonald continued. “Instead of being held accountable for his crimes in the United States, he fled to Somalia in a futile attempt to evade justice. This attempt was brought to an end thanks to the extraordinary work of our FBI partners.”
NUTRITION PROGRAM LAWSUITS TRIGGER MN DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO FACILITATE INSPECTION, OPENING THE DOOR TO MORE FRAUD
Abdikerm Abdelahi Eidleh, 42, was arrested in Somalia after authorities said he spent almost four years on the run in the increasingly widespread Feeding Our Future fraud case. (FBI)
While working as an employee of Feeding Our Future, Eidleh was responsible for recruiting and supporting Federal Child Nutrition Program sites under the program’s sponsorship, according to court documents.
Prosecutors allege that Eidleh, along with other members of the program, solicited and received bribes and kickbacks from individuals and companies seeking approval to operate fake Federal Child Nutrition Program sites.
According to the indictment, Feeding Our Future operated a “pay-to-play” scheme in which fraudulent food site operators reimbursed employees, including Eidleh, for a portion of their illicit proceeds, often disguised as consulting fees through shell companies.
The indictment also alleges that Eidleh created Federal Child Nutrition Program sites using nominated owners, then falsely claimed that the sites served meals to thousands of children each day.
National Anti-Fraud Division Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald addresses the media to announce anti-fraud actions in Minnesota at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 21, 2026. (David Berding/Getty Images)
Prosecutors allege he also set up front companies posing as food vendors for the sites and submitted false invoices to obtain federal nutrition program funds.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
According to prosecutors, Eidleh deposited more than $5 million in fraudulent proceeds, kickbacks and bribes into accounts associated with shell companies in order to conceal the source of the money.
