MINNEAPOLIS (trfnews.i234.me) — A federal judge has approved a request for about $5.2 million in restitution from Aimee Bock.
Bock founded the nonprofit Feeding Our Future.
The amount would be part of her sentence.
The judge signs a forfeiture order
Judge Nancy Brasel also signed a preliminary forfeiture order.
The forfeiture amount is $5,241,522.79.
Forfeiture means the government can take property tied to a crime.
The order becomes final at sentencing.
What prosecutors say can be seized
The list includes more than $3.5 million from a Feeding Our Future account.
It also includes money from two accounts in Bock’s name.
It includes $13,462 in cash.
It includes a 2013 Porsche Panamera.
It also includes electronics, clothing, and jewelry.
Background on the case
A jury convicted Bock in March.
Salim Said was convicted in the same trial.
Prosecutors said the network stole nearly $250 million.
They said the money was meant to feed children.
Federal records say the sites claimed about 91 million meals.
Prosecutors said the claims were false.
How the program worked
Feeding Our Future acted as a sponsor for federal meal programs.
Sites reported meal counts to the sponsor.
The sponsor sent claims to the state.
The state then asked the federal government for repayment.
In Minnesota, that work ran through the Minnesota Department of Education.
What happens next
A sentencing date has not been set.
KSTP reported prosecutors also linked Bock to kickbacks.
The same report said she sent money to Empress Watson.
Watson was described as her boyfriend at the time.
Restitution is meant to repay victims.
Forfeiture is about taking assets.
Learn more:
- U.S. Department of Justice: Guilty verdict announcement.
- Court filing: Preliminary forfeiture order.
- KSTP report on the restitution request.
- Minnesota legislative auditor report.
- USDA: Child nutrition programs.
- Minnesota Department of Education: Food and Nutrition.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
Bought off the judge