Convicted Leader of a Food Fraud Scheme in Minnesota

• Abdiaziz Shafi, the leader of a large food fraud scheme, received 28 years in prison
• Ordered to pay back 48 million dollars in restitution
• 73 individuals charged in the case of fraud involving food

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A federal judge sentenced Abdiaziz Shafi, the leader of a large food fraud scheme, to 28 years in prison. Shafi, 36, was also ordered to pay back more than 48 million dollars in restitution. He may receive additional years in prison at a future court hearing following a conviction in a case involving fraudulent claims related to a package worth 120,000 dollars.

Shafi is one of dozens of individuals who were charged in the "Feeding Our Future" case, where prosecutors allege that a scheme was created that diverted 300 million dollars from a program funded by the federal budget, designated for feeding children during the coronavirus pandemic.

Shafi and several co-defendants pleaded guilty before the court last year, where he was found guilty on 23 out of 24 counts charged. This includes several counts of fraud involving federal programs, fraud with the use of electronic means of communication, and money laundering.

Prosecutors stated that Shafi exploited the program, opening fake entities where he claimed to serve thousands of children. He and his co-defendants detailed the number of meals provided and reimbursements, including fraudulent names of children. The stolen money he directed to other individuals and supported fraud through a "pay-to-play" system.

They stole over 47 million dollars from the program, while Shafi personally took over 8 million dollars over the course of a year. This money he used to purchase luxury vehicles and real estate, including property in Kenya. According to prosecutors, this was hidden property and money that Shafi denied through Chinese entities, inaccessible to law enforcement agencies in the U.S.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson stated that Shafi "caused unprecedented harm to this state."

In the "Feeding Our Future" case, 73 individuals have been charged; 51 of them were found guilty.

Tags: USA/Crime