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Charges filed in ‘Feeding Our Future’ juror bribe attempt
The suspects arrested include three defendants from the first federal Feeding Our Future trial, including one whom the jury fully acquitted
MINNEAPOLIS — U.S. Attorney Andy Luger announced charges against five people he says were involved in the attempted $120,000 bribe of a juror in the recent trial involving multiple defendants in the “Feeding our Future” federal child meal program fraud case.
The suspects include three defendants from the trial: Abdiaziz Farah, Said Farah, and Abdimajid Nur.
Said Farah is one of two defendants (seven were on trial) whom the jury fully acquitted in its mixed verdict. He walked out of the federal courthouse with his attorney Steve Schleicher on June 7 as a free man, but now will be taken back into custody.
Reports of an attempted bribe targeting a juror on June 2 – the day before deliberations were set to begin – cast a long shadow over the trial.
According to a search warrant that followed the reported bribe attempt, a Somali woman dropped a bag containing $120,000 cash at the doorstep of a female juror’s home in Spring Lake Park. A juror’s family member answered the door, and later told police the woman with the money told him there would be more money coming after the juror votes “not guilty.”
The seven defendants on trial were all taken into custody on June 3, when prosecutors revealed developments surrounding the attempted bribe in court. Judge Nancy Brasel also ordered their cell phones to be seized.
Over the following weeks, FBI agents raided the homes of three defendants, including Abdiaziz Farah – whom prosecutors called the “ringleader” of this particular group during the trial.
The jury delivered a verdict convicting five defendants on most counts, but the panel fully acquitted Abdiaziz Farah’s brother Said Farah and Abdiwahab Aftin.
Court filings by a different defendant revealed that during the jury selection process of the trial, two juror information lists were not returned to the judge. Those lists included information on each juror such as name, age, and city where they live.
Prosecutors have charged a total of 70 people associated with an organization known as “Feeding Our Future” who are accused of bilking the federal government out of $250 million distributed to feed underserved children when schools were shut down by COVID in 2020 and 2021. Instead, the government alleges, the defendants lied about the number of meals they distributed, instead collecting millions to buy luxury vehicles, homes and exotic vacations, among other things.
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A portion of the proceeds will go toward the nonprofit dedicated to caring and treating raptors.
MINNEAPOLIS — A new beer collaboration between HeadFlyer Brewing and the University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center is raising funds for bird conservation.
The limited-edition brew “Escalating Falcon” is part of the Raptor Center’s 50th anniversary celebration. Two percent of the proceeds from beer sales will support the center’s work.
On Saturday, attendees had the opportunity to sample the new beer and meet some of the center’s ambassador birds at the Northeast brewery.
“I think it works because of the community. This is a place where people normally gather together anyway, so it’s a great opportunity to know more about the Raptor Center,” Lori Arent, interim director of the Raptor Center, said.
The Raptor Center admits approximately 1,000 birds of prey to their specialized hospital each year, aiming to rehabilitate and release them back into the wild.
“The center serves birds from all over Minnesota,” said Arent.
The “Escalating Falcon” will be sold for a limited time at HeadFlyer Brewing.
Arent considers the celebration the beginning of their Give to the Max Day season. If you are interested in donating, visit their website.
ST PAUL, Minn. — Investigators are trying to find out what led up to a 14-year-old boy being shot in St. Paul on Saturday.
Authorities told KARE 11 officers were called to the 1900 block of Wilson Avenue just before 12:30 p.m. There they found the teen with a gunshot wound.
The teen was taken to Regions Hospital with injuries officials described as “non-life-threatening.”
No one has been arrested yet, police said, and the investigation is ongoing.
Kendama is a traditional Japanese skill toy consisting of a handle (ken), a pair of cups (sarado), and a ball (tama) that are all connected by a string.
PLYMOUTH, Minn. — Hundreds of people from around the world are in Minnesota this weekend to compete in North America’s largest kendama tournament.
Kendama is a traditional Japanese skill toy consisting of a handle (ken), a pair of cups (sarado), and a ball (tama) that are all connected by a string.
The North American Kendama Open (NAKO) is Nov. 15 -17 at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West Hotel in Plymouth. It’s become popular in part due to a Minneapolis-based company, Sweets Kendamas, and the company’s owner, Matt “Sweets” Jorgenson.
Sweets Kendamas hosts the nation’s largest kendama competitions and sells the toys at Target stores nationwide.
In partnership with the nonprofit Mindfulness Through Play, it also operates 12 kendama clubs at afterschool programs across the Twin Cities.
Besides the competition, NAKO will feature music, merchandise, workshops, video premiers and an award show.
Tickets are $60 for the weekend or $25/day.
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