Abdikerm Eidleh, 42, a figure described as central to a $250 million Minnesota welfare fraud scheme, has been arrested in Mogadishu, Somalia, the Justice Department announced Friday. Eidleh had been a fugitive for nearly four years.
Eidleh was indicted in September 2022 on 31 counts related to the Feeding Our Future scheme, which is considered the largest COVID-19 fraud case in the nation. The charges include 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 his role involved stealing pandemic relief funds intended for children.
Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald called Eidleh a "central figure in one of the largest fraud schemes in Minnesota history." He stated that Eidleh not only stole taxpayer dollars but also deprived vulnerable children of necessary resources. "Rather than answer for his crimes in the United States, he fled to Somalia in a futile attempt to evade justice," McDonald said. "That attempt ended thanks to the exceptional work of our FBI partners."
According to the Justice Department, Eidleh is accused of recruiting individuals to establish fraudulent food sites and fake vendor networks. These operations allegedly billed the government for millions of meals that were never provided to children. Eidleh and other employees of Feeding Our Future are also accused of soliciting and accepting bribes and kickbacks from entities seeking approval for fraudulent meal distribution sites. The indictment further alleges that Eidleh created his own sham food distribution sites, claimed to serve thousands of children daily, and used shell companies to disguise the origin of illegally obtained funds. The Justice Department stated that Eidleh deposited over $5 million in illicit proceeds into accounts linked to these shell companies.
Minnesota US Attorney Daniel Rosen emphasized that the arrest demonstrates the reach of justice, stating, "if you commit fraud against the American taxpayer, and try hiding across the globe, the long arm of justice will find you."
The Feeding Our Future investigation has led to charges against at least 79 individuals, with over 60 convictions. In May, Aimee Bock, identified as the mastermind of the scheme, was sentenced to 41 years in prison after being convicted on all counts.