MINNEAPOLIS — Three Minnestra people accused in the largest CoVid-era fraud cause in the nation pleaded guilty. They were among 48 persons charged in the $250 million scheme organized by the organization Feeding Our Future that supposedly was set up to feed needy children. The guilty pleas, the first in the scandal, weee in J.S. District Court:
> Bekam Merdassa, 40, of Inver Grove Heights, created a shell company to collect more than $3 million in reimbursements from the Federal Child Nutrition Program. Merdassa claimed he served 1.3 million meals to children over seven months.
> Hanna Marekegn, 40, of Medina, obtained $7 million for supposedly 4,000 meals a day to children per day through her Minneapolis restaurant. Marekegn also paid kickbacks to a Feeding Our Future employee to receive sponsorship from that organization.
> Hadith Ahmed, 34, of Eden Prairie, an employee of Feeding Our Future, accepted $1 million on kickbacks and bribes from others in the fraud. Ahmed was also obtained $1 million by claiming t provide meals to 2,000 children a day.
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