Minnesota man gets 30 years in COVID food-aid fraud case that drew Trump criticism
Briefing by News4U · First published
Salim Said was sentenced to 30 years for a key role in Minnesota's Feeding Our Future fraud; prosecutors tied him to $44 million in false claims amid political pressure from President Trump.
A 37-year-old Minnesota man who played a key role in defrauding a U.S. pandemic food programme has been sentenced to 30 years in prison, Al Jazeera reported, citing AP. Salim Said, who operated Safari Restaurant in Minneapolis, was convicted in the Feeding Our Future scheme that has drawn national scrutiny and political pressure from President Donald Trump. [1]
Prosecutors said Said was responsible for $44 million in fraud, including claims by people he recruited, after vastly overstating meals for needy children. They said he claimed a ridiculous daily distribution of 6,000 meals while FBI cameras showed about 40 people a day collecting food. U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel told him he took more than taxpayers' dollars and damaged the state's reputation. [1]
The government said stolen funds helped buy a $1.2 million home, commercial real estate and an $87,000 pickup truck. Said expressed remorse at Wednesday's sentencing after denying the charges at his 2025 trial. Feeding Our Future leader Aimee Bock is serving a 42-year sentence and was ordered to repay $242 million. [1]
Sources
- 30-year sentence in Minnesota fraud that drew Trump backlash
Al Jazeera · · Full text