MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Abdikerm Eidleh, an alleged senior figure in the sprawling $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud scheme in Minnesota, was arrested Thursday in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu during a joint operation conducted by the FBI and Somali intelligence agencies, according to U.S. federal officials.
Wararka Soomaaliya
The arrest marks a major development in one of the largest pandemic-era fraud investigations in U.S. history and comes more than four years after Eidleh allegedly fled while federal authorities expanded their probe into the scheme.
Eidleh, 42, was indicted in September 2022 as part of the federal Feeding Our Future investigation, a case that prosecutors say involved the fraudulent diversion of millions of dollars intended for child nutrition programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Daniel Rosen described Eidleh as a central figure in the operation.
Faahfaahinta
“This is a big fish,” Rosen told CBS News. “Eidleh was a key leader and was responsible for bribing and recruiting business to steal from the American taxpayer.”
According to federal prosecutors, Eidleh served as the second-in-command to Aimee Bock, the convicted founder of Feeding Our Future, who was recently sentenced to more than 40 years in prison.
Investigators allege that Eidleh personally collected approximately $5 million in bribes and kickbacks after directing restaurants and catering businesses to inflate receipts and reimbursement claims submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education.
Saamaynta
Federal prosecutors have charged Eidleh with wire fraud, federal programs bribery, money laundering, and conspiracy.
Authorities said the operation that led to his capture demonstrated the continued international reach of the investigation and the cooperation between U.S. and Somali law enforcement agencies.
“This shows the global reach and outstretched arm of American law enforcement,” said Christopher Dotson, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Minneapolis. “Somalia is not the safe haven you may think it is.”
Wararka.so waxay kuu soo tebineysaa wararka ugu dambeeyey ee Soomaaliya iyo caalamka. Si aad ula socoto wararkii ugu dambeeyey, booqo boggayaga.
