Minneapolis Woman Charged in Feeding Our Future Fraud Scheme
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — In a dramatic turn of events, a Minneapolis woman, Hibo Daar, has become the 71st individual to face charges in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, which has been described as the largest COVID-19-related fraud case in the nation. Authorities apprehended Daar at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport just before she was set to board a flight to Dubai.
The Arrest Details
Federal agents acted swiftly, halting Daar last week as she attempted to leave the country. She now stands charged with two counts of wire fraud and is currently in custody at the Sherburne County Jail. Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick emphasized the continuous efforts of her office, stating that the investigation into this extensive fraud case is ongoing. "Our work is not done," she affirmed, underlining the commitment to bringing all responsible parties to justice.
Financial Malfeasance and Fraudulent Claims
Court documents reveal that Daar operated a business called Northside Wellness Center. She applied to utilize this center as a food distribution site under the federal child nutrition program, which was part of the initiative spearheaded by Feeding Our Future. In her claims, Daar alleged that she was distributing tens of thousands of meals weekly, with reports indicating she signed forms stating that she served as many as 40,000 meals each week from a modest business location on Hennepin Avenue.
However, authorities have found that these meal counts were significantly inflated, supported by falsified invoices and attendance rosters. Prosecutors allege that Daar submitted claims totaling over $2.4 million, successfully siphoning $1.7 million from taxpayer funds. Shockingly, financial records suggest that only a fraction of this money was used to provide food; the majority was reportedly funneled to Daar, along with family members and associates.
Alleged Bribery and Corruption
Adding another layer to this troubling case, prosecutors claim that Daar engaged in corrupt practices by paying $72,000 in bribes to an employee of Feeding Our Future. This illicit transaction purportedly aimed to ensure that her fraudulent reimbursement claims were processed smoothly, highlighting the systemic nature of the fraud.
Feeding Our Future: A Broader Context
Feeding Our Future was a nonprofit organization that claimed to distribute meals to low-income children, especially during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as investigators have uncovered, many of its partners fabricated records and exploited government programs, collectively stealing millions of taxpayer dollars.
This extensive investigation is not merely isolated to Daar; it’s part of a broader probe involving multiple agencies, including the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The case has drawn significant attention to the vulnerabilities of government programs during crisis times and the lengths to which some individuals will go to exploit them.
Legal Proceedings
The prosecution of Hibo Daar and other defendants in this case is being handled by an experienced team of Assistant U.S. Attorneys, including Joseph H. Thompson, Matthew S. Ebert, Harry M. Jacobs, and Daniel W. Bobier. Their work underscores the seriousness with which the government is addressing fraudulent claims that impact taxpayer funds and community resources.
As this case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and accountability in government-sponsored programs, particularly in times of unprecedented national challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. The ongoing investigations signal a decisive stand against those who attempt to exploit these programs for personal gain.
