## Feeding Our Future Scandal: Mukhtar Shariff Sentenced to 17+ Years
Mukhtar Shariff, convicted of fraud and other crimes related to the multi-million dollar theft from a child nutrition program, received a significant sentence on Friday, May 17, 2024. His sentencing marked a stark contrast to his previous stance. During the trial, Shariff, the first and only defendant to testify in his own defense, vehemently proclaimed his innocence, maintaining this claim even in pre-sentencing motions.
However, at his sentencing hearing, a noticeably remorseful Shariff offered a tearful apology. He expressed regret for letting down those who believed in him, acknowledging his actions compromised programs designed to aid vulnerable populations. He further acknowledged the damage his involvement in the Feeding Our Future scandal inflicted on the Somali-American community, stating that the burden of this negative perception was his to bear.
Despite Shariff’s display of remorse, U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel remained largely unmoved. She characterized Shariff’s trial testimony as “not credible,” highlighting the direct contradiction between his statements then and his expressions of remorse at sentencing. Judge Brasel condemned his actions, stating, “When the world was at its most vulnerable, you were not a helper, you were a thief.” She subsequently sentenced Shariff to more than 17 years in federal prison, a sentence falling just short of the prosecution’s request of approximately 22 years.
This harsh sentence is expected to significantly impact the dozens of remaining Feeding Our Future defendants awaiting trial. The length of Shariff’s sentence serves as a potent warning, potentially encouraging guilty pleas and cooperation amongst those still facing charges. Four more defendants, including Abdi Nur Salah, a former policy aide to Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Aimee Bock, the executive director of Feeding Our Future, are scheduled for trial next month.
The Feeding Our Future scheme involved a network of nonprofits falsely claiming to serve thousands of meals daily to children during the pandemic. In exchange for kickbacks, Feeding Our Future sponsored these nonprofits, which then received millions from the state Department of Education (administering the U.S. Department of Agriculture program). Instead of feeding children, much of this money was diverted to personal enrichment, including overseas trips, property purchases, cars, and jewelry. Dozens have been charged, with 24 already pleading guilty. Shariff is the second to be sentenced.
Prosecutor Joe Thompson, during his sentencing statement, painted a damning picture of Shariff’s role, highlighting the fraudulent nature of the scheme (“fake meals, fake kids, fake invoices, fake companies but real money”). He emphasized Shariff’s deep involvement, accusing him of “fleecing the state” from the moment he arrived. Thompson declared the case unprecedented in his 16 years as a prosecutor, even surpassing the complexity of cases involving domestic terrorists. Judge Brasel echoed this sentiment, noting the case’s damaging impact on Minnesota’s image and public trust in government.
The original Feeding Our Future trial, which resulted in guilty verdicts for five of seven defendants, further involved an attempted juror bribery scheme. Although Shariff wasn’t directly charged in the bribery, prosecutors and Judge Brasel asserted his awareness of it, citing his deletion of his Signal app upon the scheme’s revelation in court as evidence of attempted concealment. The bribery attempt specifically targeted the only person of color on the jury.
Despite the guilty verdict and lengthy sentence, Shariff’s courtroom presence was marked by a significant show of support, with over 100 supporters present in the courtroom and an overflow room. Many wept alongside him. The article is by Kayseh Magan and J. Patrick Coolican, published in the *Minnesota Reformer* on January 24, 2025.