Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, 36, was sentenced to 28 years in prison and ordered to pay over $47 million in restitution for his role in a large-scale fraud scheme involving the Federal Child Nutrition Program during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Nancy E. Brasel in Minneapolis.
Farah led what authorities have described as the largest COVID-19-related fraud scheme in the country, stealing more than $47 million by falsely claiming to serve 18 million meals to children at over 30 sites. Many of these sites did not distribute any food and were listed as parking lots or empty commercial spaces.
A federal jury convicted Farah in June 2024 on multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, bribery, and making false statements on a passport application. He co-owned Empire Cuisine & Market, which he enrolled in the nutrition program early in the pandemic. Prosecutors said Farah quickly set up fraudulent distribution sites and submitted false claims for meals never served.
The operation included creating fake rosters with names that did not match local school records; some names were described as “absurd and obviously fake,” such as “Serious Problem” and “Britishy Melony.” Farah also managed the distribution of stolen funds among co-conspirators through bribes and kickbacks to personnel at Feeding Our Future and Partners in Nutrition.
During his involvement, Farah personally received more than $8 million. He used proceeds from the scheme to buy luxury vehicles—including a Porsche, GMC truck, and Tesla—and real estate both locally and abroad. Authorities noted that about $4.2 million went toward properties in Minnesota and Kentucky, while additional funds were sent overseas for investments in Kenya and China. These international assets remain outside U.S. law enforcement’s reach.
After federal agents seized his passport during a search of his home in January 2022, Farah applied for a new one by falsely claiming it had been lost. He then attempted to leave for Kenya but was apprehended before he could depart.
Following his conviction last year, Farah was also implicated in an attempt to bribe a juror with $120,000 cash for a not guilty verdict. He has pleaded guilty in that separate case and awaits sentencing.
In court remarks, Judge Brasel commented on Farah’s background: “You came to this country as a refugee… many of the opportunities… came through public agencies and non-profit organizations… Given that background, it is ironic at best that, as the government aimed no child went hungry during the pandemic, you saw the opportunity to fraudulently make money.” She added: “You achieved successes here in the United States and yet you’ve shown utter and flagrant disregard for the laws of the United States.”
Judge Brasel described Farah’s crime as “breathtakingly elaborate” motivated by “pure unmitigated greed,” noting its lasting impact on Minnesota communities.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson stated: “This country gave Farah everything. A home. Citizenship. A free college education… And how did he repay this country and this state? By robbing us blind… He has done untold damage to this state.”
Special Agent Alvin M. Winston Sr., FBI Minneapolis, said: “Abdiaziz Shafii Farah’s conviction serves as a stark reminder of the moral decay that can arise when individuals exploit systems designed to protect the most vulnerable among us… Today’s sentence not only underscores the legal repercussions of such greed but also sends a resounding message: Justice will not only be swift but also unyielding.”
The investigation involved cooperation between several agencies including FBI Minneapolis, IRS Criminal Investigations division, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Prosecution was handled by Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson along with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Jacobs, Matthew S. Ebert, Daniel W. Bobier; asset forfeiture is being managed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Baune.
