An alleged ringleader in a sprawling $250 million pandemic-era fraud scheme involving Minnesota's Feeding Our Future nonprofit has been extradited from Somalia to face federal charges in the United States. Abdikerm Abdelahi Eidleh, 42, was arrested on June 26 in Somalia and returned to the U.S. on Thursday, according to the FBI.
Federal prosecutors accuse Eidleh of orchestrating the massive fraud by exploiting federal child nutrition programs designed to provide meals to vulnerable children. Authorities have characterized the case as one of the largest fraud investigations in Minnesota history. The FBI stated that Eidleh's extradition marks a significant step in their efforts to combat fraud.
Eidleh faces 31 counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, federal programs bribery, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering. Prosecutors allege that Eidleh, while an employee of Feeding Our Future, was responsible for recruiting and supporting program sites that participated in the federal child nutrition program. He and other employees are accused of soliciting and accepting bribes and kickbacks from companies and individuals seeking approval for fraudulent meal sites.
According to indictments, Feeding Our Future allegedly operated a "pay-to-play" scheme where operators of fraudulent meal sites paid a portion of their illicit profits to employees, including Eidleh. These payments were often disguised as consulting fees channeled through shell companies. Prosecutors also claim Eidleh established federal child nutrition program sites using straw owners and falsely reported that these sites were serving thousands of children daily.
During the investigation, prosecutors stated that Eidleh deposited over $5 million in alleged fraud proceeds, kickbacks, and bribes into accounts linked to shell companies he created to conceal the money's origins. Eidleh reportedly fled the United States in 2022. In May, Aimee Bock, the former head of Feeding Our Future, was sentenced to nearly 42 years in prison for her role in the scheme.