The federal government wants Aimee Bock to forfeit $5.2 million, according to a new motion filed in the case of the founder of the now-defunct Feeding Our Future.
Bock was convicted on all counts after a lengthy trial in the spring, along with co-defendant Salim Said, the former owner of Safari Restaurant.
In total, prosecutors say those associated with Feeding Our Future defrauded the Federal Child Nutrition Program of nearly $250 million, and new defendants have been charged as recently as late November. As the founder and former executive director of the nonprofit, investigators described Bock as the “ringleader.”
Under Feeding Our Future’s sponsorship, sites would submit fraudulent meal counts and get reimbursement for them from the Minnesota Department of Education. Bock was also convicted of accepting kickback payments, or bribes, and funneling money to her boyfriend at the time, Empress Watson.
Federal prosecutors identified millions of dollars in several bank accounts associated with Bock, as well as more than $13,000 in cash found in her home, as being subject to forfeiture.
A final forfeiture order could return the money to taxpayers after Bock is sentenced.
CLICK HERE for KSTP’s full reporting on the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme.
