Abdiaziz Farah, previously convicted of fraud in the first Feeding Our Future trial, has admitted to bribing a juror in that same case. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
In April 2024, seven individuals were tried before U.S. District Judge Nancy E. Brasel for their involvement in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme. During this trial, Farah, aged 36 from Savage, Minnesota, collaborated with co-defendants Abdimajid Nur and Said Farah as well as Abdulkarim Farah and Ladan Ali to bribe a juror for a not guilty verdict.
“The attempted bribery of a Feeding Our Future juror sent shockwaves throughout Minnesota,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Abdiaziz Farah did what few criminal defendants have ever had the audacity to do—he and his co-conspirators tried to buy a not guilty verdict. They were thwarted by Juror 52, who could not be bought, and by the excellent work of law enforcement. Farah and all involved in this despicable scheme will be held to account.”
Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis remarked on the seriousness of the crime: “Juror bribery is an attack on the integrity of our justice system… In partnership with our law enforcement colleagues, the FBI is unwavering in our pledge to safeguard the incorruptibility of our judicial process and ensure those who threaten that process must answer for their actions.”
Court documents reveal that after targeting Juror 52 for bribery, one conspirator conducted surveillance at Juror 52’s residence while Ladan Ali was tasked with delivering bribe money. On June 2, 2024, Abdiaziz Farah communicated via encrypted messaging app with Said Farah about preparing funds for the bribe.
Later that day, Abdimajid Nur collected the money from Said Farah’s business as directed by Abdiaziz Farah. However, due to mistrust towards Ladan Ali and uncertainty about Juror 52’s cooperation, Abdulkarim Farah accompanied Ali to record her delivering the bribe.
The pair stopped at a Target store where Abdulkarim purchased a screwdriver to remove license plates from Ali’s rental car before proceeding with their plan later that evening.
At approximately 8:50 p.m., Abdulkarim drove Ladan Ali near Juror 52’s house where she handed over a gift bag containing cash to a relative of Juror 52 promising more if they voted for acquittal.
Following delivery completion recorded on video by Abdulkarim which he shared with Abdiaziz who then forwarded it instructing deletion after viewing; prosecutors disclosed discovery next day prompting Abdiaziz resetting his phone deleting evidence when ordered surrender device during court session presided Judge Brasel thereafter admitting guilt June 17th under Judge Doty pending sentencing date arrangement resulting from FBI-led investigation aided IRS-Criminal Investigations USPS Inspection Service MN Bureau Criminal Apprehension prosecuted Assistant US Attorneys Matthew Ebert Harry Jacobs Daniel Bobier overseen Acting US Attorney Thompson
