The founder of Feeding Our Future and 46 others have been charged in what federal officials are calling the largest pandemic fraud in the country.
RELATED: Feeding Our Future fraud investigation puts nonprofits under Minnesota lawmakers' microscope
Luger described the conspiracy as a "brazen scheme of staggering proportions" in a press conference Tuesday and said the defendants would face federal charges related to criminal conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering and paying and receiving illegal kickbacks. "These individuals believe that they could steal tens of millions of dollars from a federal child nutrition program by claiming to serve food to needy children when they were not. Their goal was to make as much money for themselves as they could while falsely claiming to feed children during the pandemic," he said.
Luger said Feeding our Future was at the "core of this fraud," and Aimee Bock, the nonprofit's founder and executive director, was among those indicted. He said that in addition to the 47 people indicted, three individuals were "charged by information," meaning they had agreed to waive their right to a grand jury, plead guilty and admit to their roles in the alleged fraud.
FBI Director Christopher said in a statement that the scheme was the "largest pandemic relief fraud scheme" the agency has investigated. "These charges send the message that the FBI and our law enforcement partners remain vigilant and will vigorously pursue those who attempt to enrich themselves through fraudulent means," he said.
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