Aimee Bock, founder of the Minnesota nonprofit Feeding Our Future and a central figure in the state’s massive $250 million COVID-era meal fraud case, claims Representative Ilhan Omar was aware of key aspects of the scheme and helped create the conditions that allowed it to expand.
Bock was convicted in March 2025 on conspiracy, bribery, and wire fraud charges tied to allegations that restaurant owners submitted fake or inflated meal reimbursement claims during the pandemic to steal millions in federal child nutrition funds. Speaking from jail while awaiting sentencing, Bock denied knowingly participating in fraud and claimed she repeatedly warned Minnesota officials about suspicious activity.
According to the report, Omar’s name reportedly appeared multiple times in emails and text messages introduced during Bock’s federal trial. Bock claimed Feeding Our Future contacted Omar’s office regarding federal meal-program waivers connected to the pandemic-era MEALS Act, legislation Omar introduced in Congress in 2020 that loosened school meal requirements during COVID restrictions.
The report also highlights Omar’s past public promotion of Safari Restaurant, one of the businesses later tied to the fraud investigation. Safari’s co-owner, Salim Said, was convicted of allegedly defrauding the government of $16 million and is awaiting sentencing.