Key Figure in Minnesota Welfare Fraud Capture
This week, the Justice Department announced that Abdikaam Aydre, a central figure in a $250 million welfare fraud scheme in Minnesota, was arrested in Somalia. Aydre, 42, had been on the run for nearly four years. He was one of the initial suspects indicted in what is considered the largest COVID-19 fraud case in the U.S.—the notorious “Feeding Our Future” scandal. Prosecutors reported that he was apprehended in Mogadishu on Thursday.
In September 2022, Aydre faced charges that included 31 counts of wire fraud, conspiracy related to federal program bribery, and money laundering. These stemmed from his alleged involvement in schemes designed to misappropriate pandemic relief funds allocated for child nutrition programs.
Colin McDonald, an Assistant Attorney General, labeled Aydre as “the central figure in the largest fraud scheme in Minnesota history.” His statement highlighted the gravity of the situation, noting that Aydre not only stole taxpayer money but also deprived vulnerable children of essential resources. “He fled to Somalia in a futile attempt to escape justice,” McDonald remarked, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of the FBI in tracking him down.
U.S. Attorney for Minnesota, Daniel Rosen, reinforced that those who commit fraud against American taxpayers, no matter how far they flee, will eventually be found.
The indictment outlines that Aydre was instrumental in setting up bogus food sites and vendor networks that billed the government for millions of meals that were never delivered to children.
Further accusations indicate that employees from the Feeding Our Future initiative, including Aydre, were involved in accepting bribes from those wanting to establish fake meal distribution sites. Aydre allegedly even created his own fraudulent food service that claimed to feed thousands of children daily, managing a shell company to masquerade as a legitimate meal distributor.
The Justice Department added that he funneled over $5 million—funds he received through kickbacks and other illegal activities—into various shell accounts to disguise the origins of the money.
Amy Bock, identified as the ringleader of the Feeding Our Future operation, was sentenced to 41 years in prison in May after being convicted on all charges. Overall, at least 79 individuals have been charged, with over 60 already convicted in relation to the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme.
