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 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.
Related articles:
Related suggestion:
11 hurt in mass shooting that marked a weekend of gun violence in Savannah, GeorgiaClosing prices for crude oil, gold and other commoditiesBader, Taylor spark 4WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's legal saga could soon end in UKMeghan Markle's £100,000 wedding dress that the Queen thought was 'too white'United States routs Kazakhstan 10Wave of electoral violence in southern Mexico claims 14 lives in matter of daysHealey's goal in 2nd period gives Boston 4What happened in the UK's infected blood scandal? Inquiry report will be revealed on MondayThe gonzo trans Mexican drug lord musical 'Emilia Perez' lights up Cannes
2.3178s , 6501.8046875 kb
Copyright © 2024 Powered by 7 Minnesotans accused in massive scheme to defraud pandemic food program to stand trial ,Stellar Scope news portal