Aimee Bock Found Guilty in Minnesota's $250 Million Somali Community Fraud Scheme
Aimee Bock, founder and executive director of Feeding Our Future, has been identified as the alleged mastermind behind a massive fraud scheme in Minnesota involving nearly $250 million in federal funds tied to the Somali community. Prosecutors revealed that Bock exploited her authority to silence dissent, approve fraudulent meal sites and reimbursements, and cut off operators submitting implausible meal counts.
The fraudulent operation escalated from approximately $3–$4 million in federal reimbursements annually to claims of 91 million meals served, disbursing close to $250 million in federal funds, with some filings citing nearly $300 million. A witness described Bock as a 'God' for her control over the network, and trial exhibits included a photo of a Rolls-Royce near an associate.
Operators were required to pay kickbacks to Feeding Our Future employees or intermediaries to continue receiving funds; refusal resulted in loss of payments and contracts. In 2021, Bock and Feeding Our Future accused the Minnesota Department of Education of racism to preserve funding, leading a judge to order the state to resume reimbursements that fueled further fraudulent activity.
A federal jury convicted Bock on all counts, including wire fraud, conspiracy, and bribery. Co-defendant Salim Said was also convicted, with at least 78 people indicted in the broader investigation. Additionally, more than $1 million was routed to Bock's longtime boyfriend, Empress Malcolm Watson Jr., who used the money for travel and luxury items. He faces separate tax-related charges not connected to the Feeding Our Future cases.
