Aimee Bock, founder and executive director of the Minnesota nonprofit Feeding Our Future, has been sentenced to 500 months in federal prison for orchestrating what prosecutors describe as one of the largest pandemic‑era fraud schemes in the United States.
Federal investigators found that Bock and her network diverted approximately $250 million from the federally funded Child Nutrition Program during the COVID‑19 pandemic. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the organization falsely claimed to have served tens of millions of meals to low‑income children while instead funneling taxpayer funds into luxury purchases, real estate, and international travel.
In addition to the prison term, Bock was ordered to pay $243 million in restitution. Prosecutors emphasized that the stolen funds were intended to support vulnerable children and families during a national crisis. Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald said the sentence reflects the severity of the fraud and serves as a warning to others who might target federal benefit programs.
During sentencing, U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel described the operation as a “vortex of fraud,” noting that Bock was at its center. Bock addressed the court, expressing remorse and acknowledging that she had “failed the public, [her] family, everyone.”
The case is part of a broader federal crackdown on pandemic‑related fraud. Authorities have charged dozens of individuals connected to the Feeding Our Future network, with many already convicted or awaiting sentencing.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Justice
- MPR News
- AP News
- FOX 9 Minneapolis–St. Paul
- Newsweek