A sweeping federal investigation continues to expose new layers of the Somali fraud scandal that has shaken Minnesota politics and placed Rep. Ilhan Omar’s district under intense scrutiny. Prosecutors say the $1 billion COVID-era welfare scheme allowed members of Omar’s political circle — and leaders within the Somali community — to personally profit while funds meant to feed children were diverted.
According to evidence laid out in court, the fraud included roughly $250 million siphoned from child-nutrition programs created during the pandemic. The money was allegedly pocketed by Safari Restaurant co-owner Salim Ahmed Said, whose business hosted Omar’s 2018 victory party. Prosecutors said he spent the funds on a $2 million mansion and a Nordstrom shopping habit costing $9,000 a month. The free-meal effort stemmed from the 2020 MEALS Act, legislation Omar introduced.
The Justice Department stated that much of the stolen money was funneled through the nonprofit Feeding Our Future, with Omar previously appearing in a video promoting the organization. While the congresswoman has not been directly tied to the fraud, her district has seen a wave of convictions. In one statement, Omar said, “The alleged fraud scheme orchestrated by Feeding Our Future is reprehensible… anyone who participated in this scheme must be held accountable.”
During an appearance on CNN, Omar attempted to explain why fraud became so widespread, saying, “a lot of the COVID programs… were set up so quickly that a lot of the guardrails did not get created.” Meanwhile, former Omar campaign worker Guhaad Hashi Said pleaded guilty after claiming his group served 5,000 meals a day while pocketing millions. At least 78 defendants have now been charged, with federal agencies and Congress investigating state oversight.
President Donald Trump criticized Minnesota officials and sharply condemned the scale of the scheme, stating, “These Somalians have taken billions of dollars out of our country.” He also accused Omar of harming Minnesota’s interests.
