Feeding Our Future fraud case: Defendants seek trial move

Who will prosecute Feeding our Future defendants?

A federal judge is raising questions on if the seven defendants in the Feeding our Future fraud case can get a fair trial in Minnesota. And who will do the prosecution now that Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson is resigning? FOX 9's Paul Blume has more.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Defendants accused of stealing millions of dollars meant to feed hungry children during the pandemic say they will not be able to receive a fair trial in Minnesota.

What we know:

The defendants are accused of stealing millions of dollars meant to feed hungry children during the pandemic.

Defense attorneys said in court Wednesday their clients, who are of Somali and East African descent, will not get a fair trial at this time, arguing that the ongoing ICE and immigration enforcement operations across Minnesota as well as inflammatory statements from top federal officials have tainted the potential jury pool.

"As the president says, ‘garbage, fraudsters, murderers, pedophiles,’ these defendants are none of those things," said Nicholas Kaizer, an attorney for defendant Gandi Yusuf Mohamed. "We want a fair trial."

Prosecutors say Derek Chauvin got fair trial in MN

What they're saying:

The U.S. Attorney's Office is opposing the motion to move the trial, arguing that the jury selection process can eliminate biased jurors.

Prosecutor, Daniel Bobier pointed out that Derek Chauvin was tried in Minnesota, suggesting that a fair trial is possible in the current environment.

Judge raises concerns

Big picture view:

But Magistrate Judge David Schultz raised his own concerns during Wednesday’s hearing.

"What has me concerned are two things – the statements coming out of Washington from the President & the Vice President that the Somali citizens are ‘garbage,’" explained Schultz. "On top of all that, the ICE and immigration issues are directly linked to the allegations of fraud. And all of this is coming in from very inflammatory rhetoric, from the highest elected official in the country."