Friday March 21, 2025

Aimee Bock (left) and Salim Said (right), convicted on all counts for orchestrating a $250 million COVID-19 fraud scheme under the Feeding Our Future program in Minnesota. (Photo: Sherburne County Jail)

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn (HOL)  — Jurors convicted Aimee Bock and Salim Said on all counts Wednesday for orchestrating a massive $250 million scheme under the guise of providing meals to Minnesota children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bock, 44, founder and executive director of Feeding Our Future, and Said, 36, co-owner of Safari Restaurant, were immediately arrested following the verdict due to concerns they might flee before sentencing.

U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel underscored her decision to detain them, citing “patterns of deception” displayed throughout the trial. “Both defendants have shown an absolute inability to comply with authority,” Brasel said, adding she feared they would manipulate documents or flee to evade justice.

Bock was convicted of seven counts, including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and bribery. Said faced 21 counts, including additional money laundering charges and conspiracy to launder money. Prosecutors accused Bock of masterminding the fraud, involving falsely reported meal counts and the disbursement of federal funds for nonexistent or exaggerated food programs during COVID-19.

“This case has come to symbolize the problem of fraud in our state,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson, calling the scheme “brazen” and “the shame of Minnesota.”

The jury reached its verdict after approximately five hours of deliberation, concluding a trial that lasted over five weeks and included testimony from FBI agents, forensic accountants, and cooperating witnesses who admitted involvement.

Both defendants took the stand in their own defence during the trial, providing testimony that directly conflicted with the prosecutors‘ evidence and witness statements. Witnesses painted Bock as influential and seemingly untouchable, with one witness characterizing her as “a god,” highlighting her perceived power in orchestrating the scheme. Prosecutors introduced extensive surveillance evidence, notably video footage that contradicted Said’s claims of serving thousands of meals daily at Safari Restaurant. Defence attorneys argued that their clients were misled by associates and lacked full awareness of the scale of the fraud. Emotional reactions were evident during the verdict reading, as Bock was visibly upset and broke down into tears upon being taken into custody.

Throughout the trial, prosecutors provided compelling evidence, including surveillance footage from Said’s Safari Restaurant, contradicting his claims of serving thousands of meals daily. Said’s restaurant previously generated around $600,000 annually but reported serving 3.9 million meals between April 2020 and November 2021, funnelling millions in fraudulent federal reimbursements into luxury real estate, vehicles, and international travel.

Defence attorneys argued innocence, alleging their clients were misled or victimized by business partners. Bock’s attorney, Kenneth Udoibok, expressed disappointment at the swift verdict and said he planned to appeal.

“At least she told her side of the story,” Udoibok said, referencing Bock’s contentious testimony where she admitted significant fraud occurred but claimed ignorance of the details.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz praised the verdict, expressing fury that a program designed to feed hungry children was exploited. “These are criminals who preyed on a system,” Walz stated. “It was organized, and they continued to lie.”

Of the 70 people charged in the Feeding Our Future case, 44 have been convicted through pleas or trials. Authorities have recovered approximately $60 million of the stolen funds, and further prosecutions remain ongoing.

Sentencing dates for Bock and Said have not yet been scheduled, but prosecutors anticipate significant prison terms.

“Hopefully, today’s verdict helps turn the page,” Thompson concluded while emphasizing Minnesota’s commitment to restoring integrity to public programs.

WATCH:

Verdict breakdown:

Aimee Bock was found guilty on the following counts:

• Conspiracy to commit wire fraud

• Five counts of wire fraud

• Conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery

• Federal programs bribery

Salim Said was found guilty on the following counts:

• Conspiracy to commit wire fraud

• Five counts of wire fraud

• Conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery

• Nine counts of federal programs bribery

• Conspiracy to commit money laundering

• Six counts of money laundering