Second Minnesota Juror Replaced Amid $40 Million Fraud Trial After Alleged Bribery Incident

A second Minnesota juror has been replaced just days after another juror claimed that someone left her nearly $120,000 in cash in exchange for an acquittal in a $40 million fraud case. The trial involves seven people accused of misusing millions of dollars intended to feed children during the pandemic.

Juror Replacement Details

The second juror was removed on Tuesday after a family member inquired about jury sequestration due to the alleged bribe. This follows the replacement of the first juror, who reported a bribery attempt on the eve of deliberations. According to an FBI search warrant affidavit, the first juror received a gift bag filled with cash, delivered by a woman to her relative while she was not at home.

The affidavit detailed that the visitor knew the juror’s first name and promised additional cash if the juror agreed to acquit the defendants. The incident was reported to the police, prompting further investigation.

FBI Involvement and Defendant Detainment

The FBI stated that all defendants, their attorneys, and prosecutors had access to the juror’s identifying information. U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel ordered the defendants to surrender their cellphones, and all seven were taken into custody. This incident occurred as the trial neared its conclusion.

Background of the Case

The trial is part of a broader investigation into a massive COVID-19 relief funding scheme, considered the largest of its kind by prosecutors. The seven defendants are among 70 individuals charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota in a $250 million fraud scheme involving the nonprofit Feeding Our Future. So far, 18 individuals have pleaded guilty.

Feeding Our Future participated in the Federal Child Nutrition Program, recruiting individuals and entities to establish program sites throughout Minnesota. The nonprofit's federal funding increased dramatically from approximately $3.4 million in 2019 to nearly $200 million in 2021.

Fraudulent Activities and Charges

The federal program aimed to provide free, nutritious meals to children and low-income families. However, prosecutors allege that the defendants misused over $40 million from the program, spending the funds on personal luxuries, including multiple homes, properties, and luxury vehicles, from April 2020 to January 2022.

“This was a brazen scheme of staggering proportions,” U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger stated in September 2022. “These defendants exploited a program designed to provide nutritious food to needy children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, they prioritized their own greed.”

Current Status and Deliberations

The jury, now sequestered, is deliberating the fates of Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, Mohamed Jama Ismail, Abdimajid Mohamed Nur, Said Shafii Farah, Abdiwahab Maalim Aftin, Mukhtar Mohamed Shariff, and Hayat Mohamed Nur. They face charges of felony conspiracy, wire fraud, federal programs bribery, and money laundering. All have pleaded not guilty.

Alleged Juror Bribery Incident

Frederick Goetz, the attorney representing Mukhtar Mohamed Shariff, stated that his client “had absolutely no part in it” regarding the alleged juror bribery incident. Attorneys for the other six defendants did not respond to requests for comment on Tuesday.

Federal Child Nutrition Program and Feeding Our Future

Feeding Our Future was a sponsor participating in the Federal Child Nutrition Program. Prosecutors said the nonprofit’s employees recruited people and entities to open Federal Child Nutrition Program sites throughout Minnesota. Feeding Our Future went from receiving and disbursing about $3.4 million in federal funds in 2019 to nearly $200 million in 2021, prosecutors said.

The program was designed to provide free, nutritious meals to children and low-income families, but prosecutors allege the defendants diverted funds for personal use, including the purchase of luxury items such as homes and vehicles.

Reaction and Implications

The alleged bribery attempt has added a layer of complexity to an already high-stakes trial, highlighting the lengths to which individuals may go to influence judicial outcomes. The case underscores the severity of the charges and the extensive efforts by the authorities to ensure a fair trial. The outcome of this trial will have significant implications for all involved and for the integrity of federal relief programs.

Conclusion

As the jury continues its deliberations, the legal proceedings surrounding the $40 million fraud case and the alleged bribery incident reflect the challenges of ensuring justice in complex financial fraud cases. The replacements of the jurors and the subsequent legal maneuvers will be closely watched as the trial progresses, setting a precedent for handling such incidents in the future.