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.
Student fatally shot, suspect detained at Georgia's Kennesaw State University
Sen. Alex Padilla emerges as persistent counterforce for immigrants
Draisaitl, Hyman lead Oilers to 6
The REAL Evangelos Marinakis: The explosive hire
Messi in and Dybala out in Argentina squad for pre
The REAL reason Garden Rescue host Charlie Dimmock never shows her own home's garden on screen
Woman, 19, goes to meet man, 29, after striking up romance online
Summer Movie Guide 2024: All the films coming to theaters and streaming
Celebrity birthdays for the week of May 26
What to know about Hamas again raising the possibility of a 2