![]() MDE provides those funds to the sponsoring agency who, in turn, pays the reimbursements to the sites under its sponsorship. The USDA then provides MDE federal reimbursement funds on a per-meal basis. Sponsors are also responsible for monitoring each of their sites and preparing reimbursement claims for their sites. Sponsors must submit an application to MDE for each site. Meals funded by the Federal Child Nutrition Program are served by “sites.” Each site participating in the program must be sponsored by an authorized sponsoring organization. In Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) administers and oversees the Federal Child Nutrition Program. The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service administers the program throughout the nation by distributing federal funds to state governments. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is a federally-funded program designed to provide free meals to children in need. The Federal Child Nutrition Program, administered by the U.S. Rather than feed children, the defendants enriched themselves by fraudulently misappropriating millions of dollars in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. ![]() The defendants exploited changes in the program intended to ensure underserved children received adequate nutrition during the COVID-19 pandemic. The defendants obtained, misappropriated, and laundered millions of dollars in program funds that were intended as reimbursements for the cost of serving meals to children. The 47 defendants are charged across six separate indictments and three criminal informations with charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and bribery.Īs outlined in the charging documents, the defendants devised and carried out a massive scheme to defraud the Federal Child Nutrition Program. I commend the work of the skilled investigators and prosecutors who unraveled the lies, deception, and mountains of false documentation to bring this complex case to light.” Instead, they prioritized their own greed, stealing more than a quarter of a billion dollars in federal funds to purchase luxury cars, houses, jewelry, and coastal resort property abroad. “These defendants exploited a program designed to provide nutritious food to needy children during the COVID-19 pandemic. ![]() “This was a brazen scheme of staggering proportions,” said U.S. These charges send the message that the FBI and our law enforcement partners remain vigilant and will vigorously pursue those who attempt to enrich themselves through fraudulent means.” “The defendants went to great lengths to exploit a program designed to feed underserved children in Minnesota amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, fraudulently diverting millions of dollars designated for the program for their own personal gain. “Today’s indictments describe an egregious plot to steal public funds meant to care for children in need in what amounts to the largest pandemic relief fraud scheme yet,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “In partnership with agencies across government, the Justice Department will continue to bring to justice those who have exploited the pandemic for personal gain and stolen from American taxpayers.” “These indictments, alleging the largest pandemic relief fraud scheme charged to date, underscore the Department of Justice’s sustained commitment to combating pandemic fraud and holding accountable those who perpetrate it,” said Attorney General Merrick B. The Department of Justice announced today federal criminal charges against 47 defendants for their alleged roles in a $250 million fraud scheme that exploited a federally-funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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