MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — In an unexpected turn of events, a man involved in a scheme to defraud a federally funded program designed to provide meals to children pleaded guilty to wire fraud. Abdinasir Abshir, 32, of Lakeville, admitted to his role in the theft of $250 million in a case that has implicated multiple individuals, including Aimee Bock, the founder of the now-defunct charity Feeding Our Future, and Salim Said, a former restaurant owner in Minneapolis.
Abshir is the 37th defendant to plead guilty out of a total of 70 individuals charged in connection with the case. The trial involving Bock and Said is the second in the ongoing legal proceedings. Abshir, who was initially scheduled to stand trial in August, reached a plea deal that includes a recommended prison sentence of 63 to 78 months and restitution of nearly $2.3 million. As part of the agreement, he will also forfeit a 2021 Range Rover purchased with proceeds from the fraudulent activities.
The guilty plea stemmed from an incident where Abshir allegedly attempted to intimidate a witness in the case, Sharmake Jama. The witness, who had previously pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against Bock and Said, reported the incident to his lawyer, who then informed prosecutors. The court proceedings have been marred by allegations of jury tampering and witness intimidation, leading to increased security measures.
The prosecution accused Abshir of setting up a fake food distribution site called Stigma Free Mankato, where he and his brother claimed to have provided over 1.6 million meals to children in 2020 and 2021, collecting $5.4 million in the process. Abshir also admitted to paying $100,000 in bribes and kickbacks to a Feeding Our Future employee.
Abshir’s defense attorney acknowledged the seriousness of his client’s actions, describing the attempt to intimidate a witness as a “huge misstep.” The case has raised concerns about the integrity of the judicial system and the need to uphold the rule of law in the face of such brazen criminal activities.
“In court, Cascarano informed the judge about the incident,” stated the judge. Abshir was ordered to be held without bail by Brasel due to the “flagrant actions” he committed in close proximity to her. She had warned him that it would be unwise for him to attempt to communicate with other witnesses or defendants in the future.
