MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Opening statements are expected Monday in the fraud trial of seven people charged in what federal prosecutors have called a massive scheme to exploit lax rules during the COVID-19 pandemic and steal from a program meant to provide meals to children in Minnesota. The seven will be the first of 70 defendants to go on trial in the alleged scam. Eighteen others have already pleaded guilty. Prosecutors have said the seven collectively stole over $40 million in a conspiracy that cost taxpayers $250 million — one of the largest pandemic-related fraud cases in the country. Federal authorities say they have recovered about $50 million. Prosecutors say just a fraction of the money went to feed low-income kids, and that the rest was spent on luxury cars, jewelry, travel and property. THE ALLEGED PLOTThe food aid came from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was administered by the state Department of Education. Nonprofits and other partners under the program were supposed to serve meals to kids. |
DJ LeMahieu leaves 1st minor league rehab game in 2nd inning with sore right footRiley Greene homers twice and Mark Canha goes deep to power Tigers past Rays 4Olé ello ello! OffBears GM Ryan Poles says 'tune in on Thursday' for No. 1 overall pick at the NFL draftSenate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face banKorean War veteran will finally get his Purple Heart medal, 73 years lateGeneral Motors reports strong firstKorean War veteran will finally get his Purple Heart medal, 73 years lateStudents, residents pressed into North Korean construction projects — Radio Free AsiaChild murderer who abducted and killed schoolboy 50 years ago dies in prison of old age