A sprawling series of schemes in Minnesota allegedly siphoning hundreds of millions to potentially billions of taxpayer dollars from federally funded programs has been uncovered.
A now-defunct nonprofit Feeding Our Future, has been involved in what prosecutors have described as the largest COVID-19 relief fraud in the nation.
Federal indictments revealed the organization reported thousands of nonexistent meals to receive federal funding, ultimately defrauding taxpayers of roughly $250 million. Aimee Bock, the nonprofit’s leader, and dozens of associates have been convicted in connection with the scheme. (RELATED: Economic Indicators Point to Strength as U.S. Enters Its 250th Year)
In late 2025, prosecutors charged Asha Farhan Hassan, 28, with wire fraud tied to both the Feeding Our Future scheme and an Autism services fraud that allegedly funneled millions through bogus therapy claims. Meanwhile, authorities announced indictments in a Housing Stabilization Services fraud, including “fraud tourism” charges against non Minnesota defendants.
Federal officials say program audits across 14 state-administered Medicaid and social service programs have flagged about $18 billion in billed claims since 2018, with prosecutors estimating that half or more may be fraudulent, potentially exceeding $9 billion in losses.
The Trump administration recently froze federal childcare funding to the state while broadening federal investigations into worksite compliance and fraud enforcement. National lawmakers, including leaders of the House Oversight and Budget Committees, have launched inquiries into how such fraud went undetected and whether federal oversight failed.
These issues took the national stage when a Youtube video went viral from Nick Shirley, who went to daycare centers that were federally funded and were allegedly closed in the middle of the day. (RELATED: Historic Decline in U.S. Murder Rates Marks Major Public Safety Shift in 2025)
Shirley, along with other peers, traveled across the twin cities seeking out each individual daycare center to see if there were any children or if it was even open. The same daycare centers also received money from Feeding Our Future. In the neighborhood of +$6 million combined.