Feeding Our Future fraud: Shakopee couple pleads guilty as suspected ringleader faces trial

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - A Shakopee couple has recently entered guilty pleas in the massive, multi-million dollar Feeding Our Future fraud case, as the suspected ringleader is set to face trial this week.

Shakopee woman pleads guilty

What we know:

Mekfira Hussein pleaded guilty to her role in the Feeding our Future scheme on Monday. Her husband, Abduljabar Hussein, also pleaded guilty in the case last week.

The backstory:

Hussein was accused of enrolling her nonprofit, Shamsia Hopes, into the Federal Child Nutrition Program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hussein filed the application with Feeding Our Future executive director Aimee Bock under the guidance of her employee, Abdikerm Eidleh. Prosecutors also say Eidleh also directed Hussein's husband, Abduljabar Hussein, to enroll his company, Oromia Foods LLC, as a food vendor with the State of Minnesota for the federal program.

Prosecutors say Mekfira Hussein inflated invoices, lying about the number of meals provided and falsifying attendance rosters for children.

Prosecutors said the Husseins pocketed up to $8.8 million in the scheme. With the money, they paid off their home, bought a new truck and a Porsche.

Feeding Our Future trial underway

What's next:

Jury selection for the trial against Aimee Bock and Safari Restaurant owner Salim Said was set to begin on Monday.

Bock is the founder of Feeding Our Future and the suspected ringleader in the scheme.

Under Bock, Feeding Our Future is accused of bilking more than $240 million from the Federal Child Nutrition Program.

Brothers Abdi Nur Salah and Abdulkadir Nur Salah, who were set to face trial along with Bock and Said, entered guilty pleas last week.