Feeding Our Future Scam: Somali Charity Deceived Out of Million-Dollar Donation, Claims Prosecutors
A legislative representative dropped proposals that would have funneled $6.5 million to a nonprofit
The Diana E. Murphy federal courthouse in Minneapolis was shown on Friday, May 17, 2024. A charity established 25 years ago to aid Somali refugees and immigrants was implicated in a scheme that involved over $1 million in funding for other charities offering free meals to kids amid the pandemic.
Numerous charities were set up or resurrected to take part in a federal program providing free meals to children during the pandemic. Prosecutors unveiled a portion of a $250 million fraud case, alleging false claims of providing meals to enrich a select few. The trial involving the first group of 70 defendants has been ongoing for four weeks and could go on for six more weeks.
The prosecution detailed how the seven defendants were linked to 50 food distribution sites that allegedly served 18.8 million meals, earning the defendants $41 million.
One of the sporadically mentioned charities is Somali Community Resettlement Services, aimed at assisting Somali refugees and immigrants and expanding their capabilities. State Rep. Hodan Hassan withdrew two bills aiming to provide the charity with $6.5 million in grants, amid links to the case.
It became clearer how the charity was involved: sponsoring distribution sites in Minnesota where meals were supposedly served, leading to over $2.9 million in reimbursement via Partners in Nutrition. The charity paid out $1.83 million to the defendants, keeping nearly $1.1 million.
Somali Community Resettlement Services sponsored sites in Faribault and Minneapolis, both claiming to serve thousands of meals daily. The charity, which did not comment, has not been charged with a crime.
The charity’s revenue saw a significant increase over the years, purchasing a mansion in Minneapolis in 2022. They receive around half a million annually from various state agencies.
Hassan’s bills would have allocated $7.5 million in grants for a Minneapolis project and job development. The bills were recalled on the House floor, affecting the charity’s potential funds for affordable housing and workforce development.
Two nonprofits are at the core of the case – Feeding Our Future and Partners in Nutrition. Defendants are linked to Empire Cuisine & Market, embroiled in federal program misuse.
Prosecutors uncovered lavish spending by the defendants, including property purchases in Kenya and luxury items. Testimony revealed a massive meal operation at Dar Al-Farooq mosque, serving 1.9 million meals in 2021.
