Fugitive in $250M Feeding Our Future fraud case arrested in Somalia after four years on the run
MINNEAPOLIS — A key figure in what prosecutors call the largest pandemic-era fraud scheme in U.S. history has been apprehended overseas after more than four years as a fugitive, federal authorities confirmed Thursday.
Abdikerm Eidleh, 42, was taken into custody in Mogadishu, Somalia, during a daytime operation coordinated by the FBI and Somali intelligence agencies. He had been indicted in September 2022 as part of the sweeping $250 million Feeding Our Future investigation, which targeted a conspiracy that exploited federal child nutrition programs.
“This is a big fish,” said Daniel Rosen, U.S. Attorney for Minnesota, in an interview with CBS News. “Eidleh was a key leader and was responsible for bribing and recruiting businesses to steal from the American taxpayer.”
According to Rosen, Eidleh served as the “second in command” to Aimee Bock, the convicted mastermind of the scheme who was recently sentenced to more than 40 years in prison. Investigators allege Eidleh personally collected $5 million in bribes and kickbacks after directing restaurants and catering companies to inflate receipts submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education for reimbursement. He faces charges including wire fraud, federal programs bribery, money laundering and conspiracy.
The arrest highlights the global reach of American law enforcement. “This shows the outstretched arm of U.S. law enforcement,” said Christopher Dotson, FBI Special Agent in Charge in Minneapolis. “Somalia is not the safe haven you may think it is.”
To date, prosecutors have charged 79 individuals — most of Somali descent — in the Feeding Our Future case. Of those, 66 have been convicted or pleaded guilty. The investigation has also spurred dozens of related charges in Minnesota involving alleged fraud in taxpayer-funded programs for childcare, housing and behavioral health. Rosen previously told CBS News that total fraud losses in the state could exceed $1 billion.
“The chapter for Feeding Our Future might be closing, but we’re still in the beginning of making sure we protect the American taxpayer,” Rosen said.