Aimee Bock, the former executive director of Feeding Our Future, is scheduled for sentencing in federal court in Minneapolis this Thursday. Bock led the Minnesota nonprofit, which claimed to provide millions of meals to children during the pandemic.
Prosecutors argued for a 50-year prison sentence, describing Feeding Our Future as a “cash pipeline” for fraudulent claims and kickbacks. They emphasized the extensive impact of her actions on Minnesota and the nation. Bock was convicted last year on multiple counts, including conspiracy, wire fraud, and bribery. She maintains her innocence.
Bock’s attorney, Kenneth Udoibok, argued for a sentence not exceeding 37 months. He stated Bock provided information to investigators and argued she was unfairly portrayed as the mastermind, blaming two co-defendants for orchestrating the schemes.
The fraud network involved partner organizations, fake distribution sites, and falsified child feeding lists. Several people, primarily from Minnesota’s Somali community, have been convicted in related fraud cases.
In the past, President Donald Trump criticized Minnesota as a “hub of fraudulent money laundering activity.” He used the fraud cases to justify immigration crackdowns, attributing responsibility to Governor Tim Walz’s leadership. Trump particularly pointed to alleged Somali gang activity in the state.
Bock is white; the U.S. Attorney’s Office notes most defendants are of Somali descent and U.S. citizens.