Aimee Bock, the former executive director of the Minneapolis nonprofit Feeding Our Future, has been sentenced to over 40 years in prison for orchestrating a massive fraud scheme. On Thursday (May 21, 2026), U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel handed down the 500-month sentence in a packed federal courthouse in Minneapolis. Bock was also ordered to pay $242 million in restitution.
The fraud, which took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, involved misappropriating $300 million in federal child nutrition funds intended to provide meals for low-income families. According to the FBI, “almost none” of the funds were used for their intended purpose. Instead, the money was funneled through other entities to purchase luxury items such as cars and real estate.
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence of Bock’s involvement, including her signature on checks and meal claims submitted to the state. Despite her defense team’s request for a lighter sentence, arguing for time served or a maximum of three years, the judge emphasized the seriousness of the crime. The Sahan Journal reported that Bock, 45, expressed regret and apologized to the court, stating she never intended for the situation to escalate.
The case has been described as the largest pandemic fraud in U.S. history, involving nearly 80 defendants, with 65 having pleaded guilty or been convicted. The fraud has prompted legislative changes and increased scrutiny on federal spending. KARE 11 reported that Bock’s sentence is among the harshest, reflecting her role as the ringleader in the scheme.
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