A short thread on Feeding Our Future as we start the sentencing phase of the case.
It's now clear that many, many fraudsters will be getting away with the crime of the century.
It's now clear that many, many fraudsters will be getting away with the crime of the century.
A popular misconception has the case in Federal court because of the mistaken belief that ONLY the Feds have jurisdiction.
False: the state can (and does) prosecute in state court for theft from Federal programs all the time. For example, the state AG has a Medicaid fraud unit.
False: the state can (and does) prosecute in state court for theft from Federal programs all the time. For example, the state AG has a Medicaid fraud unit.
Feeding Our Future fraudsters stole the $250 million+ from the STATE Dept. of Education.
Yet, it is the FEDS that are prosecuting people, and for interstate WIRE FRAUD, not theft.
Yet, it is the FEDS that are prosecuting people, and for interstate WIRE FRAUD, not theft.
As the Feds negotiate plea agreements, they are extracting paper promises from defendants to pay back ALL the money stolen.
That approach doesn't work with trial convictions.
Some $50 to $60 million was recovered, early on.
Little to none will be recovered going forward.
That approach doesn't work with trial convictions.
Some $50 to $60 million was recovered, early on.
Little to none will be recovered going forward.
The $millions and millions shipped overseas from Feeding Our Future defendants is gone forever.
The defendants will keep every dollar.
The defendants will keep every dollar.
Minnesota state government has a massive toolkit (civil and criminal) that they could use to claw back Feeding Our Future money, and prevent the fraudsters and others from future frauds.
So far the state is not trying.
So far the state is not trying.
Minnesota dropped the full weight of the law on anyone who dared to violate a Covid rule.
But hundreds of people who are known to have stolen money from the state will not be prosecuted and CONTINUE to steal from the state TO THIS DAY.
But hundreds of people who are known to have stolen money from the state will not be prosecuted and CONTINUE to steal from the state TO THIS DAY.
The refusal of STATE authorities to pursue fraud from government programs will result in more fraud (and more brazen fraud) and more (deserved) cynicism towards government and politicians.
Let's begin with the simplest measure:
Every single person convicted (27, so far) in the Feeding Our Future case should already have been charged with state income tax crimes.
Every single person convicted (27, so far) in the Feeding Our Future case should already have been charged with state income tax crimes.
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