Minnesota Man Denied Bail After Appearing in Federal Court on Feeding Our Future Charges

Abdikerm Eidleh, 42, appeared in federal court in St. Paul on Friday, weeks after his arrest in Mogadishu. CBS News reported that he fled the United States four years earlier after an indictment in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme and was taken into custody with assistance from the Somali government.

Federal prosecutors have outlined 31 charges against Eidleh, including wire fraud, federal programs bribery and money laundering. He allegedly deposited more than $5 million in bribes and other fraud proceeds into accounts tied to his shell companies and demanded monthly kickbacks from others in the scheme. U.S.

Attorney for Minnesota Daniel Rosen stated in a June interview that Eidleh ranked as the No. 2 operator in the Feeding Our Future fraud, second only to Aimee Bock. "Mr. Eidleh is one of those big fish.

With his arrest now, we can prosecute one of the biggest fish involved in the Feeding Our Future scheme," Rosen said. Rosen added that the case demonstrates the reach of U.S. " The FBI said the $300 million scandal has produced more than 70 guilty pleas.

In court, Eidleh wore an orange jail suit and sat next to a federal defense attorney while flanked by two U.S. marshals. The judge ruled Eidleh a serious flight risk and denied bail. Eidleh is scheduled to appear again on July 31 for an arraignment and detention hearing.

The judge said he will work with the federal defender's office to secure a public defender.