MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Federal officials announced the arrest of a major fugitive who spent more than four years on the run following the nation’s largest pandemic-era fraud scheme.
The Arrest of Abdikerm Eidleh
Abdikerm Eidleh, 42, was taken into custody on Thursday during a daytime raid in Mogadishu, Somalia. The high-profile operation was coordinated by the FBI alongside Somali intelligence agencies.
Eidleh was originally indicted in September 2022 as part of the massive $250 million Feeding Our Future investigation in Minnesota. U.S. Attorney for Minnesota, Daniel Rosen, described Eidleh as a “big fish” and a key leader who bribed and recruited local businesses to exploit taxpayer-funded programs.
The Scope of the Scheme
Federal investigators allege that Eidleh acted as the “second in command” under Aimee Bock, the convicted ringleader of the scheme who was recently sentenced to over 40 years in prison.
Eidleh is accused of:
- Personally collecting $5 million in bribes and kickbacks.
- Instructing restaurants and catering businesses to inflate their receipts.
- Submitting fraudulent reimbursement documents to the Minnesota Department of Education.
He now faces severe federal charges, including wire fraud, federal programs bribery, money laundering, and conspiracy.
A Broad Crackdown in Minnesota
Federal prosecutors have aggressively pursued those involved in the scandal. To date, 79 individuals have been charged in connection to the Feeding Our Future case, resulting in 66 convictions or guilty pleas so far.
However, authorities warn that the investigation is far from over. Dozens of additional charges have been filed across Minnesota involving similar fraudulent schemes targeting childcare, housing, and behavioral health programs. Officials estimate the total fraud against taxpayer programs in the state could ultimately exceed $1 billion.
