… apprehended on June 25, 2026, in Mogadishu, Somalia. Eidleh was among the defendants originally charged by indictment in the Feeding Our Future scheme on September 13, 2022. The indictment alleges 31 counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, federal programs bribery, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering.
“This is a big fish,” Daniel Rosen, U.S. Attorney for Minnesota, told CBS News. “Eidleh was a key leader and was responsible for bribing and recruiting business to steal from the American taxpayer.”
Rosen said Eidleh, 42, was “second in command” to Aimee Bock, the convicted ringleader of the scheme, who was just sentenced to more than 40 years in prison.
Investigators allege Eidleh personally collected $5 million in bribes and kickbacks after instructing restaurants and catering businesses to inflate receipts submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education for reimbursement. The indictment includes charges related to wire fraud, federal programs bribery, money laundering and conspiracy.
“This shows the global reach and outstretched arm of American law enforcement,” said Christopher Dotson, FBI Special Agent in Charge at FBI Minneapolis. “Somalia is not the safe haven you may think it is.”
So far, prosecutors have charged 79 people, most of Somali descent, in the Feeding Our Future case. Of those, 66 have been convicted or pleading guilty.
Dozens of others have also been charged in Minnesota in a range of alleged schemes to defraud taxpayer-funded social service programs, including childcare, housing and behavioral health.
Rosen previously told CBS News the total amount of fraud in Minnesota could top $1 billion.
“The chapter for Feeding Our Future might be closing, but we’re still in the beginning of making sure we protect the American taxpayer,” Rosen said.
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