Hundreds of Somali-Americans in Minnesota have been implicated, charged, or convicted in massive federal fraud schemes, primarily the "Feeding Our Future" scandal involving millions in stolen food aid, plus related housing and autism program frauds, with over 80 charged and many convicted, all against a backdrop of broader ICE operations targeting the community, despite most Somalis being citizens or legal residents.
Key Figures in the Fraud Cases (Primarily Feeding Our Future):
- Total Charged: The investigation began with 47 people charged and grew to 78 defendants in the Feeding Our Future case alone, with more charged in related schemes.
- Convicted: 57 individuals have been convicted, with some pleading guilty and others losing at trial.
- Of Somali Ancestry: Nearly all 86 people charged in the large meals, housing, and autism therapy fraud cases were of Somali descent, though the vast majority are U.S. citizens.
Types of Fraud:
- Feeding Our Future: Stealing federal funds meant for child meals by claiming to feed millions of meals that never happened.
- Housing & Health Care Fraud: Other schemes involved defrauding the Minnesota Housing Stability Services Program and autism therapy programs.
Context:
- These cases highlight extensive fraud within Minnesota's social services system, with federal prosecutors noting "schemes stacked upon schemes".
- The large-scale investigations have sometimes coincided with increased ICE activity targeting undocumented immigrants, leading to concerns within the Somali community, though most individuals involved in the major fraud cases are citizens, according to ABC News and CNN.
