Salim Said, the co-owner of the former Safari Restaurant in Minneapolis, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison on October 28, 2026, for his role in Minnesota’s largest fraud scheme to date, which prosecutors describe as the $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud scheme.
Salim Said sentenced to 30 years for $250M Feeding Our Future fraud scheme
Salim Said, a co-owner of the former Safari Restaurant in Minneapolis, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison on October 28, 2026, for his role in the $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud scheme.
Key numbers
| Stat | Figure | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sentence length | 30 years | October 28, 2026 | U.S. Attorney’s Office, Minnesota |
| Restitution | $44 million | October 28, 2026 | U.S. Attorney’s Office, Minnesota |
| Fraud scheme total | $250 million | 2025 | U.S. Attorney’s Office, Minnesota |
| Defendants sentenced so far | 32 people | October 28, 2026 | U.S. Attorney’s Office, Minnesota |
| Median sentence length | 38.5 months | October 28, 2026 | U.S. Attorney’s Office, Minnesota |
| Average sentence length | 76.5 months | October 28, 2026 | U.S. Attorney’s Office, Minnesota |
| Kickback payment to Aimee Bock | $310,000 | 2025 | U.S. Attorney’s Office, Minnesota |
| Forfeiture amount | $7.8 million | October 28, 2026 | U.S. Attorney’s Office, Minnesota |
| Bribe to juror | $120,000 | June 2, 2024 | U.S. Attorney’s Office, Minnesota |
What happened
Salim Said, a co-owner of the former Safari Restaurant in Minneapolis, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison on October 28, 2026, for his role in the $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud scheme. Said was convicted on 21 counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and federal programs bribery. He was ordered to pay $44 million in restitution, the second-highest sentence in the sprawling case.
The scheme involved falsely claiming to serve thousands of meals per day through non-profits and shell companies. Said and his co-conspirators used fake invoices, rosters listing fictional children, and other fraudulent documents to defraud the Federal Child Nutrition Program. Said personally submitted 6,000 phony meal claims for Safari Restaurant and paid bribes to co-defendants, including Aimee Bock, the scheme’s alleged ringleader.
Who is affected
Taxpayers and the state of Minnesota are the primary victims of the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme. The fraudulent reimbursement claims drained public funds meant for child nutrition programs, leaving less money for legitimate recipients. Additionally, the scheme damaged the reputation of Minnesota’s public institutions and eroded public trust in government programs.
The fraud also affected the families of the defendants, who now face significant legal consequences, including lengthy prison sentences and financial penalties. The broader community of non-profits and charitable organizations may also face increased scrutiny and regulatory burdens due to the high-profile nature of the case.
Timeline of Feeding Our Future
- 2020: Salim Said enrolls Safari Restaurant in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under Feeding Our Future’s sponsorship.
- 2022: The U.S. Attorney’s Office begins investigating the Feeding Our Future scheme.
- August 6, 2025: Abdiaziz Farah is sentenced to 28 years for his role in the fraud scheme.
- May 2025: Aimee Bock is sentenced to nearly 42 years in prison for her role as the ringleader of the fraud scheme.
- June 2, 2024: A juror reports an attempted bribery with $120,000 in cash during Abdiaziz Farah’s trial.
- July 25, 2026: Abdiaziz Farah is sentenced to an additional 10 years for attempting to bribe a juror.
- October 28, 2026: Salim Said is sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for his role in the fraud scheme.
What to do next
For taxpayers and victims, the next steps involve monitoring the restitution process to ensure that the $44 million ordered by the court is fully recovered and distributed. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement agencies will continue to pursue remaining defendants and ensure that all assets obtained through fraud are forfeited.
For the state of Minnesota, ongoing efforts will focus on strengthening oversight and fraud detection mechanisms within public programs to prevent similar schemes in the future. The Department of Human Services and other relevant agencies are likely to review their internal controls and reporting procedures.
What we know and don’t know
We know that Salim Said was convicted on 21 counts and sentenced to 30 years in prison, with $44 million in restitution. We also know that the scheme involved multiple co-conspirators, including Aimee Bock, who received the longest sentence of nearly 42 years. Additionally, we know that Abdiaziz Farah was sentenced to 120 months for his role in the fraud and an additional 10 years for attempting to bribe a juror.
However, we do not know the full extent of the financial losses incurred by the state or the exact number of children who may have been affected by the reduced availability of funds for legitimate programs. The long-term impact on Minnesota’s public trust and the effectiveness of future fraud prevention measures remain uncertain.
Why it matters
The Feeding Our Future fraud scheme is significant because it represents one of the largest and most sophisticated fraud cases in Minnesota’s history. The case highlights the vulnerabilities in public programs and the need for robust oversight and fraud detection mechanisms. The sentences handed down to key figures in the scheme send a strong message about the consequences of fraud and corruption.
The case also underscores the importance of protecting taxpayer funds and ensuring that public programs serve their intended purpose. The financial penalties and prison sentences imposed on the defendants aim to deter future fraudulent activities and restore public trust in government institutions.
Key takeaways
- Salim Said was sentenced to 30 years in prison and ordered to pay $44 million in restitution for his role in the $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud scheme.
- The scheme involved falsifying meal counts, using shell companies, and paying bribes to co-conspirators, including Aimee Bock, who received the longest sentence of nearly 42 years.
- Abdiaziz Farah was sentenced to 120 months for his role in the fraud and an additional 10 years for attempting to bribe a juror during his trial.
- The case has led to the forfeiture of assets, including real estate, vehicles, and cash, totaling millions of dollars.
- The sentences and restitution aim to hold defendants accountable and restore funds to taxpayers, while also serving as a deterrent for future fraudulent activities.
Frequently asked questions
What was the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme?
The Feeding Our Future fraud scheme involved a network of individuals, including Salim Said and Aimee Bock, who defrauded the Federal Child Nutrition Program by falsely claiming to serve thousands of meals per day. They used non-profits, shell companies, and fake documents to submit fraudulent reimbursement claims, siphoning millions of dollars from taxpayers.
How much money was stolen in the Feeding Our Future fraud?
Prosecutors estimate that the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme totaled $250 million. Salim Said alone was ordered to pay $44 million in restitution, and other defendants have faced similar financial penalties.
Who is Aimee Bock and what role did she play?
Aimee Bock is the alleged ringleader of the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme. She was convicted on multiple counts and sentenced to nearly 42 years in prison.
What happened to the assets obtained through the fraud?
Assets obtained through the fraud, including real estate, vehicles, and cash, have been ordered forfeited by the court. For example, Salim Said’s $7.8 million in assets, including properties in Minneapolis and Columbus, Ohio, and luxury vehicles, were subject to forfeiture.
How many people have been sentenced in the Feeding Our Future case?
As of October 28, 2026, 32 people have been sentenced in the Feeding Our Future case. The median sentence length among these defendants is 38.5 months, with an average sentence length of 76.5 months.
What is the status of the remaining defendants?
The U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to pursue accountability for all 81 defendants charged in the sprawling case.
About: Minnesota
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Sources
- MN fraud: Inside Salim Said's Feeding our Future sentencing hearing — yahoo.com, 2026-10-28
- Former Safari Restaurant owner Salim Said sentenced to 30 years for role in Feeding Our Future fraud case — kstp.com, 2026-10-28
- 'Central organizer' of Feeding Our Future scheme gets 30 years — mprnews.org, 2026-10-28
- Feeding Our Future Fraudster Gets 10 More Years for Trying to Buy a Verdict — townhall.com, 2026-07-25
- Man who pleaded guilty in scheme to bribe Feeding Our Future juror sentenced — cbsnews.com, 2026-10-31
Primary sources referenced in this coverage: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/landmark-sentence-feeding-our-future-scheme-leader-sentenced-28-years-prison.
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