Man who claimed to run food distribution site pleads guilty in Feeding Our Future case

A man who claimed to run a food distribution business in Minneapolis that served meals to hungry children pleaded guilty to wire fraud on Thursday.

The U.S. attorney's office accused Suleman Yusuf Mohamed of setting up a business called Star Distribution LLC, which over the course of 14 months received approximately $10 million in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. The charges stemmed from the Feeding Our Future case, in which several dozen people were accused of stealing $250 million in government funds meant to feed children during the pandemic.

Suleman Yusuf Mohamed was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, federal programs bribery, conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering in 2024. He pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

He was indicted along with nine other friends and family members; his sister Ikram Yusuf Mohamed was a leader in the scheme who opened several food sites under the names of family members. 

Ikram Yusuf Mohamed and four others pleaded guilty in March. Documents said some of the money meant for children went to rent and personal spending, including furniture, vacations, eating out and nearly daily DoorDash deliveries. 

A sentencing date for Suleman Yusuf Mohamed has not been scheduled.