A Minnesota judge has ordered the forfeiture of luxury items and millions of dollars from the founder of a nonprofit organization convicted in what prosecutors describe as the nation’s largest COVID-19 relief fraud scheme.
Aimee Bock, 44, who created and operated Feeding Our Future, received the preliminary court order on Dec. 30.
The ruling requires her to surrender approximately $5.2 million in cash from her personal nonprofit bank accounts.
In addition to the substantial monetary forfeiture, Bock must relinquish her Porsche Panamera.
The court order also covers a collection of expensive personal items including diamond jewelry consisting of a necklace, bracelet and earrings.
The forfeiture extends to designer accessories, specifically a Louis Vuitton purse and backpack.
Technology assets are also included, with approximately 60 laptops, iPads and iPhones listed in the court documents.
Bock faced federal charges including wire fraud, bribery, and conspiracy.
A jury found her guilty in March of orchestrating the elaborate scheme that misused pandemic relief funds, CBS News reported.
The program targeted by the fraud was designed to provide meals for children in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Federal funds allocated for this purpose were instead diverted for personal enrichment.
Bock worked alongside dozens of co-conspirators in executing the fraud scheme.
Prosecutors identified most of these individuals as members of Minnesota’s Somali community, though Bock herself is not Somali.
The Justice Department reports that 78 defendants have been charged in connection with the Feeding Our Future investigation.
Of those charged, 57 individuals have already been convicted.
Court records indicate that 72 of the defendants are of Somalian descent.
Five defendants are currently classified as fugitives believed to be in Africa.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has stated that defendants allegedly transferred “millions of taxpayer dollars in fraud proceeds” overseas to East Africa and the Middle East.
These international transfers represent a significant portion of the misappropriated funds.
The scope of the fraud continues to expand as investigators uncover additional evidence.
Bondi indicated last month that she anticipates the “ultimate price tag” could reach $400 million.
Recovery efforts have proven challenging for federal authorities.
According to reports, prosecutors have only recovered approximately $75 million of the stolen funds to date.
The case gained renewed national attention recently when President Trump highlighted concerns about alleged fraud involving Somali nationals in Minnesota.
Independent journalist Nick Shirley also drew attention to day care centers in Minnesota, raising questions about their legitimacy.
Bock currently awaits sentencing for her leading role in the conspiracy.
The federal charges she was convicted of carry substantial potential prison time.
