That also triggered arrest of all seven trial defendants.
A ringleader in Minnesota’s massive Feeding Our Future scandal has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for attempting to purchase a not-guilty verdict with a staggering $120,000 cash bribe.
Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, 37, was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Eric Tostrud for his role in the brazen plot to bribe a federal juror during his 2024 fraud trial, the Justice Department announced Friday.
Farah had already been sentenced to 28 years in prison for helping steal tens of millions of dollars from a taxpayer-funded program intended to feed needy children during the COVID pandemic.
But stealing from hungry children apparently was not enough.
When Farah and six co-defendants went on trial in April 2024, prosecutors said Farah and his associates researched Juror 52 online, obtained her address, surveilled her home, and tracked her movements.
On the night of June 2, 2024, a woman identified by prosecutors as Ladan Mohamed Ali arrived at the juror’s home carrying a white Hallmark gift bag stuffed with rolls of $100, $50, and $20 bills.
Inside was $120,000 in cash.
The woman reportedly handed the bag to one of the juror’s relatives and instructed the relative to tell Juror 52 to vote “not guilty” the following day. More money would follow if she helped acquit the defendants.
But Juror 52 could not be bought. She immediately called 911 and surrendered the cash to law enforcement.
The attempted payoff sent the federal courthouse into lockdown. All seven defendants were taken back into custody, their cellphones were confiscated, and the remaining jurors were sequestered.
Five defendants were ultimately indicted in the juror-bribery conspiracy. All five eventually pleaded guilty.
Five of the seven defendants in the underlying fraud trial were also convicted of participating in a $40 million branch of the sprawling Feeding Our Future operation. Two were acquitted.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/07/feeding-our-future-fraudster-gets-10-years-brazen/
They should have saved their money and gone to the White House. These days $2 Million will get you a pardon regardless of what you've done. It is more expensive but also a lot more effective than trying to buy a juror.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it would have bought you a pardon during the 'AutoPen' reign, but not now.
DeleteDoesn't go far enough in my opinion. Hang the bastards and maybe it might end. Probably not.
ReplyDeleteI think the hanging option is the best plan. Capital punishment does slow down crime ... if you use it enough.
DeleteIs the gal in the bottom row Sarah Noor? Ilhans sister? Sure looks like her.
ReplyDeleteTom762
There is an amazing resemblance ain't there.
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