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Fraud

75th Defendant Charged in Feeding Our Future Scheme, Largest Covid Fraud Case in the Country

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Muna Wais Fidhin, 44, has been charged with three counts of Wire Fraud, four counts of Federal Programs Bribery, and three counts of Money Laundering for her role in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme. Fidhin is the 75th defendant charged in this scheme, which is the largest Covid fraud case in the country.

The Feeding Our Future scheme involved exploiting changes in the Federal Child Nutrition Program intended to ensure that underserved children received adequate nutrition during the Covid-19 pandemic. The scheme involved a non-profit organization, Feeding Our Future, which was founded and led by Aimee Bock, and was responsible for enrolling and claiming funding for numerous sites under its sponsorship. Fidhin's company, M5 Cafe, was enrolled in the program under Feeding Our Future's sponsorship, and she later created a non-profit organization, M5 Care, which was also enrolled in the program.

Fidhin fraudulently claimed to serve meals to 500 children a day, seven days a week, at her sites, but in reality, she served few or no children. She submitted fake invoices to claim reimbursement for meal purchases and used the funds to pay off her home mortgage, buy a car, and fund her lifestyle. Fidhin also wired tens of thousands of dollars out of the country and paid kickbacks to a Feeding Our Future employee in exchange for sponsorship and submission of her fraudulent claims.

Key Takeaways:

  • Muna Wais Fidhin, 44, has been charged with three counts of Wire Fraud, four counts of Federal Programs Bribery, and three counts of Money Laundering for her role in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme.
  • Fidhin is the 75th defendant charged in the Feeding Our Future scheme.
  • The scheme involved exploiting changes in the Federal Child Nutrition Program to divert funds intended for underserved children.
  • Fidhin's company, M5 Cafe, and non-profit organization, M5 Care, were enrolled in the program under Feeding Our Future's sponsorship.
  • Fidhin fraudulently claimed to serve meals to 500 children a day, seven days a week, at her sites, but in reality, she served few or no children.
  • She submitted fake invoices to claim reimbursement for meal purchases and used the funds to pay off her home mortgage, buy a car, and fund her lifestyle.
  • Fidhin also wired tens of thousands of dollars out of the country and paid kickbacks to a Feeding Our Future employee in exchange for sponsorship and submission of her fraudulent claims.

Statistics:

  • The Feeding Our Future scheme is the largest Covid fraud case in the country.
  • Fidhin's company, M5 Cafe, received nearly $1 million in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds.
  • Fidhin wired tens of thousands of dollars out of the country.
  • Fidhin paid approximately $27,000 in kickbacks to a Feeding Our Future employee.

Sources:

  • United States Attorney's Office for the District of Minnesota
  • Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson
  • FBI Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston, Sr.
  • IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Adam Jobes
  • United States Postal Inspection Service Denver Division Inspector in Charge Bryan Musgrove
  • Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Jacobs, Daniel W. Bobier, and Craig Baune

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