Matt Sepic
@msepic.bsky.social
Minneapolis-based reporter for MPR News
Judge Nancy Brasel sentences "early mover" in #FeedingOurFuture meal fraud scam to 28 years in federal prison. Brasel: “I cannot think of any reason for the behavior other than pure unmitigated greed.” Previous story: www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
Feds seek 30-year prison term for 'early mover' in Feeding Our Future scam
Prosecutors are seeking a 30-year prison term for a defendant in the Feeding Our Future fraud case. The Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office says Abdiaziz Farah was key in a conspiracy to fleece taxpayer-...
www.mprnews.org
August 6, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Judge Nancy Brasel sentences "early mover" in #FeedingOurFuture meal fraud scam to 28 years in federal prison. Brasel: “I cannot think of any reason for the behavior other than pure unmitigated greed.” Previous story: www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
More details of the investigation into the killings of former DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark are outlined in several search warrants unsealed today. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
Four dozen guns, 5 body bags and a second police vehicle found in search of Boelter property
Judges Friday unsealed a number of search warrants from the investigation into Vance Boelter. Boelter is suspected of killing former DFL Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, a...
www.mprnews.org
June 21, 2025 at 1:40 AM
More details of the investigation into the killings of former DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark are outlined in several search warrants unsealed today. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
Abdelhamid Al-Madioum is out of federal prison after a decade-long saga that began with him joining ISIS at age 18 and continues today as he helps terrorism investigators.
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
Former Minnesota ISIS member granted early release after helping terrorism investigators
A federal judge in Minneapolis cut the sentence short of a Twin Cities man who joined the Islamic State group a decade ago. Abdelhamid Al-Madioum left prison Tuesday after providing extensive help to ...
www.mprnews.org
June 18, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Abdelhamid Al-Madioum is out of federal prison after a decade-long saga that began with him joining ISIS at age 18 and continues today as he helps terrorism investigators.
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
MPR News confirms that Vance Boelter, the suspected killer of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark - is in custody. Details to come.
June 16, 2025 at 2:31 AM
MPR News confirms that Vance Boelter, the suspected killer of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark - is in custody. Details to come.
@mprnews.org has new details about ICE's arrest of a U of Minnesota MBA student from Turkey. Doğukan Günaydin is jailed in Sherburne Co. without charge. His attorney argues in lawsuit that 2023 DWI is not a legal reason to revoke Günaydin's student visa. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
Lawsuit: U student 'feared he was being kidnapped' by ICE
According to a federal lawsuit, Doğukan Günaydin, who is studying business at the University of Minnesota, was stripped of his phone and belongings, taken to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement fi...
www.mprnews.org
April 1, 2025 at 7:19 PM
@mprnews.org has new details about ICE's arrest of a U of Minnesota MBA student from Turkey. Doğukan Günaydin is jailed in Sherburne Co. without charge. His attorney argues in lawsuit that 2023 DWI is not a legal reason to revoke Günaydin's student visa. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
Reposted by Matt Sepic
The international graduate student was enrolled at the school’s Twin Cities campus, according to the email sent Friday evening.
University of Minnesota says ICE detained a graduate student
U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officials Thursday detained a University of Minnesota graduate student at an off-campus residence. The international graduate student was enrolled at the scho...
www.mprnews.org
March 28, 2025 at 11:04 PM
The international graduate student was enrolled at the school’s Twin Cities campus, according to the email sent Friday evening.
After about 5 hours of deliberation, the jury has reached a verdict in the second #FeedingOurFuture trial. It'll be read shortly. Defendants Aimee Bock and Salim Said have just arrived at the federal courthouse in Minneapolis.
March 19, 2025 at 7:30 PM
After about 5 hours of deliberation, the jury has reached a verdict in the second #FeedingOurFuture trial. It'll be read shortly. Defendants Aimee Bock and Salim Said have just arrived at the federal courthouse in Minneapolis.
AUSA Joe Thompson is wrapping up his cross of #FeedingOurFuture defendant Salim Said with 2021 credit card statements. Said spent taxpayer food program cash at Burberry, ($6,511 single visit) Nordstrom ($4,995 one of many visits), $2,490 Christian Louboutin shoes. July '21 Nordstrom trip: $8,367.
March 18, 2025 at 2:32 PM
AUSA Joe Thompson is wrapping up his cross of #FeedingOurFuture defendant Salim Said with 2021 credit card statements. Said spent taxpayer food program cash at Burberry, ($6,511 single visit) Nordstrom ($4,995 one of many visits), $2,490 Christian Louboutin shoes. July '21 Nordstrom trip: $8,367.
19th day of #FeedingOurFuture trial begins with a largely green-clad jury listening to defendant Salim Said testifying in his own defense. Said's attorney Adrian Montez says he may show more videos of real food being distributed, including one that includes Rep. Ilhan Omar.
March 17, 2025 at 2:44 PM
19th day of #FeedingOurFuture trial begins with a largely green-clad jury listening to defendant Salim Said testifying in his own defense. Said's attorney Adrian Montez says he may show more videos of real food being distributed, including one that includes Rep. Ilhan Omar.
#FeedingOurFuture founder Aimee Bock wrapped up cross examination testimony Thursday by denying that her $310,000 sale of a non-functional daycare to co-defendant Salim Said was a kickback in disguise. Prosecutor Joe Thompson is continuing his cross this morning.
March 14, 2025 at 2:08 PM
#FeedingOurFuture founder Aimee Bock wrapped up cross examination testimony Thursday by denying that her $310,000 sale of a non-functional daycare to co-defendant Salim Said was a kickback in disguise. Prosecutor Joe Thompson is continuing his cross this morning.
#FeedingOurFuture founder Aimee Bock is back on the witness stand to wrap up direct examination from defense attorney Ken Udoibok. Then lead prosecutor Joe Thompson begins his cross.
My Wednesday story on Bock's initial testimony: www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
My Wednesday story on Bock's initial testimony: www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
Despite evidence, Bock denies knowledge of Feeding Our Future fraud
The former head of the Twin Cities nonprofit said Wednesday she shut down meal sites she suspected were stealing taxpayer money. She also claimed in federal court the $2,800 payments from vendors were...
www.mprnews.org
March 13, 2025 at 2:05 PM
#FeedingOurFuture founder Aimee Bock is back on the witness stand to wrap up direct examination from defense attorney Ken Udoibok. Then lead prosecutor Joe Thompson begins his cross.
My Wednesday story on Bock's initial testimony: www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
My Wednesday story on Bock's initial testimony: www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
The trial of #FeedingOurFuture founder Aimee Bock resumes this morning, with Bock facing continued direct examination from her attorney Ken Udoibok. Bck's decision to testify in her own defense means she'll face cross from lead prosecutor Joe Thompson.
March 12, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The trial of #FeedingOurFuture founder Aimee Bock resumes this morning, with Bock facing continued direct examination from her attorney Ken Udoibok. Bck's decision to testify in her own defense means she'll face cross from lead prosecutor Joe Thompson.
Prosecutors in the #FeedingOurFuture trial showed jurors this animation of how fraudulent meal sites blossomed during COVID. The yellow spikes are sites connected to the former Safari Restaurant on Lake St. in Mpls. www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQm_...
Video exhibit shows growth in meals claimed at sites under Feeding Our Future's sponsorship
YouTube video by MPR News
www.youtube.com
March 6, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Prosecutors in the #FeedingOurFuture trial showed jurors this animation of how fraudulent meal sites blossomed during COVID. The yellow spikes are sites connected to the former Safari Restaurant on Lake St. in Mpls. www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQm_...
A federal magistrate judge today jailed one of the #FeedingOurFuture defendants over allegations of witness tampering & intimidation. My story from last week following the incident in a courtroom hallway. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
Prosecutor says Feeding Our Future defendant approached witness in effort to ‘corrupt’ process
Abdinasir Abshir, who’s scheduled to face trial in April, allegedly approached witness Sharmake Jama in a courthouse hallway while testimony was underway.
www.mprnews.org
February 24, 2025 at 11:19 PM
A federal magistrate judge today jailed one of the #FeedingOurFuture defendants over allegations of witness tampering & intimidation. My story from last week following the incident in a courtroom hallway. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
The woman awaiting sentencing for delivering a Hallmark gift bag with $120k to the home of a juror in the 1st #FeedingOurFuture trial in June is now charged with DWI in Feb. 14 crash. Trooper says Ladan Ali had .284 BAC. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
Feeding Our Future jury bribe courier charged with DWI after crash
The Minnesota State Patrol says Ladan Ali had a blood alcohol concentration of .284, or more than 3 1/2 times the legal limit, when she rear-ended another driver in Mendota Heights on Feb. 14. Ali is ...
www.mprnews.org
February 20, 2025 at 5:58 PM
The woman awaiting sentencing for delivering a Hallmark gift bag with $120k to the home of a juror in the 1st #FeedingOurFuture trial in June is now charged with DWI in Feb. 14 crash. Trooper says Ladan Ali had .284 BAC. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
More than 3 years after a fatal police shooting in Minneapolis, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension released video of the incident extracted from the suspect's phone. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
‘Just shoot,’ said Winston Smith before fatal exchange of gunfire with cops
Winston B. Smith, who was fatally shot by sheriff’s deputies in Minneapolis more than three years ago, raised a handgun in the direction of officers and said “just shoot” before apparently exchanging ...
www.mprnews.org
February 14, 2025 at 11:20 PM
More than 3 years after a fatal police shooting in Minneapolis, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension released video of the incident extracted from the suspect's phone. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
Jurors in the #FeedingOurFuture trial learned today about the enormous scope of the investigation and alleged fraud. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
Feeding Our Future by the numbers: 4.4 million documents, 90 million meal claims and 1,200 subpoenas
FBI agent Jared Kary testified that the search of the nonprofit’s headquarters, Aimee Bock’s home, and 25 other Twin Cities locations in January 2022 was the single largest law enforcement operation i...
www.mprnews.org
February 13, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Jurors in the #FeedingOurFuture trial learned today about the enormous scope of the investigation and alleged fraud. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
Some muted laughter in court on day 2 of the #FeedingOurFuture trial. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
‘I serve drinks’ testifies bartender falsely named as Feeding Our Future board president
A Twin Cities man once listed as Feeding Our Future’s board president testified in federal court on Tuesday that he had no knowledge of the organization and was surprised to see his name on its organi...
www.mprnews.org
February 12, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Some muted laughter in court on day 2 of the #FeedingOurFuture trial. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
A man listed as #FeedingOurFuture's board president testified today that he had no knowledge of the nonprofit and was surprised to see his signature on its documents. Ben Stayberg said he met the nonprofit's founder Aimee Bock while he was bartending at a St. Paul steakhouse..
February 11, 2025 at 10:04 PM
A man listed as #FeedingOurFuture's board president testified today that he had no knowledge of the nonprofit and was surprised to see his signature on its documents. Ben Stayberg said he met the nonprofit's founder Aimee Bock while he was bartending at a St. Paul steakhouse..
Opening statements starting momentarily in 2nd #FeedingOurFuture trial. FOF founder Aimee Bock is on trial along with Safari Restaurant co-owner Salim Said. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
Opening statements set in trial of Feeding Our Future leader
Aimee Bock, the founder of the defunct Twin Cities nonprofit Feeding Our Future, is facing trial along with Salim Said, who co-owned Safari Restaurant on Lake Street.
www.mprnews.org
February 10, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Opening statements starting momentarily in 2nd #FeedingOurFuture trial. FOF founder Aimee Bock is on trial along with Safari Restaurant co-owner Salim Said. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
Reposted by Matt Sepic
Story by @msepic.bsky.social on a central Minnesota dairy farmer facing felony wage theft and racketeering charges over allegations that he underpaid and mistreated his immigrant workers.
Alleged mistreatment of migrant workers nets felony charges for Minnesota farmer
A central Minnesota dairy farmer is facing felony wage theft and racketeering charges over allegations that he underpaid and threatened his immigrant workers and subjected them to unsanitary living co...
www.mprnews.org
February 4, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Story by @msepic.bsky.social on a central Minnesota dairy farmer facing felony wage theft and racketeering charges over allegations that he underpaid and mistreated his immigrant workers.
Judge Nancy Brasel handed the 2nd Feeding Our Future defendant she sentenced a 17 1/2 (210 month) federal prison term. Mukhtar Shariff was among 5 people convicted in June at the first trial in the sprawling case. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
Feeding Our Future defendant sentenced to 17-and-a-half years in prison
Jurors found that Mukhtar Shariff helped siphon around $47 million from government child nutrition programs for children in need during the pandemic.
www.mprnews.org
January 24, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Judge Nancy Brasel handed the 2nd Feeding Our Future defendant she sentenced a 17 1/2 (210 month) federal prison term. Mukhtar Shariff was among 5 people convicted in June at the first trial in the sprawling case. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
Reposted by Matt Sepic
A complicated start to the 2025 #mnleg session just got more uncertain.
Via @msepic.bsky.social and @claymasters.bsky.social
Via @msepic.bsky.social and @claymasters.bsky.social
Minnesota Supreme Court sides with GOP, cancels special election key to House control
In late December, DFL Gov. Tim Walz set a special election for Jan. 28. But the Supreme Court sided with Republicans who said Walz acted too quickly in setting the date and postponed the election inde...
www.mprnews.org
January 18, 2025 at 1:39 AM
A complicated start to the 2025 #mnleg session just got more uncertain.
Via @msepic.bsky.social and @claymasters.bsky.social
Via @msepic.bsky.social and @claymasters.bsky.social
The Minneapolis Police Federation just filed a motion to intervene in the recently-announced MPD federal consent decree. Story coming soon. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com
January 17, 2025 at 6:43 PM
The Minneapolis Police Federation just filed a motion to intervene in the recently-announced MPD federal consent decree. Story coming soon. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...