Abdirashid Dool (Photo / Sherburne County Jail)
Minneapolis, MN (KFGO) – A Pelican Rapids man is the latest to plead guilty in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme for his role in operating fraudulent meal sites in Moorhead and Pelican Rapids.
Abdirashid Dool, 36, pleaded guilty to wire fraud of more than $330,000 dollars. Dool is the 70th Feeding our Future defendant convicted.
Court documents say from March to December of 2021, Dool claimed to be serving tens of thousands of meals to children while actually serving a fraction of what was reported. Dool submitted false meal count sheets, food purchase invoices, and rosters for kids served at the sites. Dool reportedly claimed to serve over 40-thousand meals a week on certain occasions.
“Programs like the Federal Child Nutrition Program were created to help children at a time when many families were struggling just to put food on the table,” said Adam Jobes, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. “Exploiting that hardship for personal gain is a betrayal of the public’s trust. Working shoulder to shoulder with our federal law enforcement partners, IRS Criminal Investigation will continue to follow the financial trail, expose these schemes, and hold accountable those who steal from programs meant to help our most vulnerable.”
The Minnesota Department of Education paid nearly $1.1 million dollars to non-profits Dool claimed to be operating.
“Financial fraud threatens the integrity of our communities, and HSI is unwavering in our commitment to confront it,” said Homeland Security Investigations St. Paul Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy. “By working side by side with our partners, we ensure those who commit these crimes are held accountable and justice is served.”
Dool faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for his role in the fraud scheme.
Story written by Nate Coen, KFGO News
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