7 Minnesotans accused in massive scheme to defraud pandemic food program to stand trial
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Opening statements are expected Monday in the fraud trial of seven people charged in what federal prosecutors have called a massive scheme to exploit lax rules during the COVID-19 pandemic and steal from a program meant to provide meals to children in Minnesota.
The seven will be the first of 70 defendants to go on trial in the alleged scam. Eighteen others have already pleaded guilty.
Prosecutors have said the seven collectively stole over $40 million in a conspiracy that cost taxpayers $250 million — one of the largest pandemic-related fraud cases in the country. Federal authorities say they have recovered about $50 million.
Prosecutors say just a fraction of the money went to feed low-income kids, and that the rest was spent on luxury cars, jewelry, travel and property.
THE ALLEGED PLOT
The food aid came from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was administered by the state Department of Education. Nonprofits and other partners under the program were supposed to serve meals to kids.
Related articles
8th Aswan int'l women film festival opens in Egypt
The eighth edition of the Aswan International Women Film Festival (AIWFF) opens Saturday night in Eg2024-04-30Senior Chinese diplomat urges U.S. to adopt rational, pragmatic China policies
Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Chi2024-04-30(W.E. Talk) Confrontation in Sino
By Zeng Nai & Wang Enbo from CNSJohn L. Thornton is chair emeritus at Brookings Institution, an2024-04-30Xi Presents Order to Promote Military Officers to Rank of General
Contact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom2024-04-30US opens investigation into Ford crashes involving Blue Cruise partially automated driving system
DETROIT (AP) — Two fatal crashes involving Ford’s Blue Cruise partially automated driving system hav2024-04-30European Sand Sculpture Championships held in Zandvoort, the Netherlands
An artist works on a sand sculpture during the European Sand Sculpture Championships in Zandvoort, t2024-04-30
atest comment