Patel Touts Fbi's Dozens Of Convictions In $250 Million Minnesota Covid Scam

FIRST ON FOX: A $250 cardinal fraud strategy that exploited a federally funded children's nutrition programme during nan COVID-19 pandemic has been described by FBI Director Kash Patel arsenic "one of nan worst" successful Minnesota history.

The FBI head told Fox News successful a connection that 70 group successful Minnesota person been indicted for their domiciled successful nan sprawling "Feeding our Future" fraud strategy during nan COVID-19 pandemic, which exploited a national programme designed to reimburse states for nan costs of feeding children. 

Conspirators falsely claimed to person served millions of meals during nan pandemic, but alternatively utilized nan money for individual gain. Of nan individuals indicted, 38 person pleaded guilty, FBI officials told Fox News Digital. More than a twelve of nan individuals are awaiting criminal trial, pinch nan adjacent proceedings opening successful August.

"Stealing complete $250 cardinal from quiet kids during a pandemic to money mansions and luxury cars is arsenic shameless arsenic it gets," FBI Director Kash Patel said successful a statement. "I’m proud of nan FBI and our partners for dismantling this web of corruption, holding dozens accountable, and sending a clear message: if you utilization nan astir vulnerable, we will find you and bring you to justice."

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Kash Patel, President Donald Trump's prime to beryllium head of nan FBI, arrives for his confirmation proceeding earlier nan Senate Judiciary Committee astatine nan Capitol successful Washington, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025.  (AP/Ben Curtis)

Conspirators charged successful nan strategy are accused of fabricating invoices, submitting clone attendance records, and falsely distributing thousands of meals from hundreds of alleged nutrient distribution "sites" crossed nan authorities — taking advantage of nan U.S. Department of Agriculture's determination to waive, for nan long of nan pandemic, galore of its modular requirements for information successful nan Federal Child Nutrition Program — including relaxing its request for non-school based distributors to participate successful nan program.

Charging documents show that astir 300 "food sites" successful nan authorities served small aliases nary food, pinch nan alleged "food vendors" and organizations fabricated to launder money intended to reimburse nan costs of feeding children.

FBI officials told Fox News that nan investigation and resulting tests and indictments proceed to effect nan state, and person already touched disconnected legislative betterment successful Minnesota.

They added that nan investigation into nan fraud remains ongoing, and that further charges are expected, though they did not instantly stock much details.

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U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger coming announced a important COVID-related fraud lawsuit based successful Minnesota, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022  Minneapolis, Minn. (Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via Getty Images)

The adjacent proceedings successful nan authorities is scheduled to statesman connected August 11.

"Stealing from nan national authorities equates to stealing from nan American group — location is nary simpler truth," FBI's typical supplier successful charge, Alvin Winston, told Fox News Digital successful a statement. 

The FBI indivited 70 group successful nan Minnesota COVID fraud case.  (Getty Images)

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"The egregious fraud unveiled successful nan Feeding our Future lawsuit epitomizes a profound betrayal of nationalist trust. These individuals misappropriated hundreds of millions successful national costs intended to nourish susceptible children during a clip of crisis, redirecting those resources into luxury homes, high-end vehicles, and royal lifestyles while families faced hardship," he added. 

"We will uncover their schemes, dismantle their networks, and guarantee that they are held accountable to nan fullest grade of nan law," he said.