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Feeding Our Future fraud ring's alleged No. 2 appears in court after Somalia arrest

From CBS News · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Abdikerm Eidleh, accused of being a top figure in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, appeared in federal court after his arrest in Somalia.
  • Prosecutors allege Eidleh was the second-in-command to Aimee Bock and is facing 31 charges, including wire fraud and money laundering.
  • Eidleh was denied bail due to being a flight risk, and his next court appearance is scheduled for July 31.

A man described by federal prosecutors as "one of the biggest fish" in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme has made his first court appearance following his arrest in Somalia. Abdikerm Eidleh, 42, appeared in federal court in St. Paul on Friday, weeks after being apprehended in Mogadishu with assistance from the Somali government.

The man federal prosecutors are calling "one of the biggest fish" in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme made his first court appearance Friday.

— CBS NewsIntroduction to the court appearance of Abdikerm Eidleh.

The FBI states that Eidleh fled the United States four years ago after being indicted in connection with the scheme. Prosecutors have outlined 31 charges against him, including wire fraud, federal programs bribery, and money laundering. U.S. Attorney for Minnesota, Daniel Rosen, identified Eidleh as the No. 2 operator in the $300 million Feeding Our Future fraud, second only to Aimee Bock.

"Mr. Eidleh is one of those big fish. With his arrest now, we can prosecute one of the biggest fish involved in the Feeding Our Future scheme," Rosen stated in an interview after Eidleh's arrest. Prosecutors allege Eidleh demanded kickbacks from others involved in the scheme, depositing over $5 million in bribes and fraud proceeds into accounts linked to his shell companies. Rosen emphasized the reach of American law, noting, "It shows that the long arm of American law reaches all around the globe, that even in Somalia, you can't escape the FBI."

Mr. Eidleh is one of those big fish. With his arrest now, we can prosecute one of the biggest fish involved in the Feeding Our Future scheme.

— Daniel RosenU.S. Attorney for Minnesota describing Eidleh's significance in the fraud case.

During his court appearance, Eidleh wore an orange jail suit and was flanked by U.S. marshals. The judge determined he posed a serious flight risk and denied him bail. Eidleh is scheduled for an arraignment and detention hearing on July 31. The Feeding Our Future scandal has already resulted in more than 70 guilty pleas, and authorities hope Eidleh's prosecution will be another significant step in the case.

It shows that the long arm of American law reaches all around the globe, that even in Somalia, you can't escape the FBI.

— Daniel RosenCommentary on the international reach of the FBI's investigation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CBS News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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