Minnesota Whistleblower Urges Rep. Ilhan Omar to Testify on Feeding Our Future Fraud

Faye Bernstein, a contract specialist lead at the Minnesota Department of Health Services, told a Senate committee this week that Rep. Ilhan Omar should testify about her connection to the Feeding Our Future fraud case. Bernstein was among the first employees to raise concerns about the program in 2019.

Bernstein said Omar appeared at Safari restaurant in Minneapolis in 2020 to promote the meals program. The restaurant's owner, Salim Said, was later convicted of stealing $16 million through the scheme.

An audio clip recorded in December 2021 captured convicted fraudster Ikram Mohamed describing how Omar's appearance at Safari encouraged other Somali-owned restaurants to join the program. Mohamed pleaded guilty in March to using family members' names to open fake meal sites and steal nearly $15 million.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison attended the same meeting. He received a $10,000 campaign contribution days afterward. Ellison has said he took the meeting in good faith and was unaware participants were involved in fraud.

Additional Statements House Majority Whip Rep.

Tom Emmer told The Post that Omar created the MEALS Act, which allowed for-profit restaurants to participate in the federal child nutrition program. Sen. Joni Ernst said Omar should cooperate with investigators. Omar has not been charged with any crime related to the Feeding Our Future case. She did not respond to The Post's request for comment.