A juror was dismissed Monday after revealing that a woman dropped a bag of $120,000 in cash at her home and offered her more money in exchange for voting to acquit seven people on trial for stealing over $40 million from a program designed to provide meals for children during the pandemic.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson expressed shock at the misconduct, stating in court on Monday, “This is completely beyond the pale. This is outrageous behavior. This is stuff that happens in mob movies.”
These seven individuals are the first of 70 defendants expected to stand trial in a conspiracy that defrauded taxpayers of $250 million. Eighteen others have already pleaded guilty, with authorities recovering around $50 million in what is considered one of the largest pandemic-related fraud cases in the nation. Prosecutors allege that only a fraction of the embezzled funds was used to provide meals for low-income children, while the majority was spent on luxury items like cars, jewelry, travel, and real estate.
Coronavirus
Report: Over $200 billion in COVID-19 loans may have been stolen
12:55 PM, Jun 28, 2023
As the trial commenced in April, defense attorneys raised questions about the FBI’s investigation quality and suggested that the case might involve more record-keeping issues than fraudulent activities as the defendants struggled to comply with rapidly changing rules for the food aid program.
The initial seven defendants were linked to a restaurant that participated in the food aid program. Awaiting trial is Feeding our Future’s founder Aimee Bock, who has pleaded not guilty and refuted any allegations of wrongdoing.
The juror, a 23-year-old, promptly handed the bag of cash to the police and reported that a woman had left it with her father-in-law on Sunday, promising another bag of cash in exchange for a favorable vote. Defense attorney Andrew Birrell called the cash scenario “a troubling and upsetting accusation.”
Crime
NASA employee admits to using COVID relief to fund marijuana grow op
10:33 AM, Jul 26, 2023
Prior to allowing the trial to proceed with closing arguments on Monday, U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel questioned the remaining jurors and alternates, none of whom reported any unauthorized interactions. As a precaution, Brasel opted to sequester the jury for the duration of the proceedings.
“I don’t do it lightly,” stated Brasel. “But I want to ensure a fair trial.”
While she did not immediately decide on detaining the defendants, she did instruct an FBI agent to confiscate their phones.
The aid fund originated from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was managed by the state Department of Education. Nonprofits and other program partners were tasked with providing meals to children.
Two organizations involved, Feeding Our Future and Partners in Nutrition, were relatively small nonprofits pre-pandemic but distributed approximately $200 million each in 2021. Prosecutors allege fake invoices, shell companies, money laundering, passport fraud, and kickbacks formed part of their illicit activities.
