Minnesota AG Keith Ellison accepted campaign donations from individuals linked to $250M COVID fraud scheme

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison raked in $10,000 in campaign donations shortly after meeting with individuals linked to a nonprofit that stole $250 million from a federal program meant to feed hungry children during the pandemic. “I’m not here because I think it’s going to help my re-election,” Ellison said during the Dec.11, 2021, meeting with two future criminal defendants linked to the Feeding our Future scandal, according to audio obtained by the Center for the American Experiment, a conservative Minnesota-based nonprofit. Days later, on Dec.

20, 2021, Ellison received $10,000 in campaign contributions from individuals linked to Minneapolis nonprofit Feeding Our Future, records show. The Justice Department has charged 70 people in the Feeding Our Future case, which has thus far yielded 44 convictions or guilty pleas.Several defendants have yet to stand trial.  Federal prosecutors claim Feeding Our Future received millions in aid from the US Department of Agriculture during the COVID-19 pandemic to help quickly shuttle food to needy children.However, only a small amount of the proceeds went towards helping feed poor children as intended, according to prosecutors — the rest was blown on luxury cars, property, jewelry and travel. The Center for the American Experiment identified Ikram Mohamed, who is expected to stand trial in the case in December, as one of the attendees of the meeting with Ellison.Salim Said, who was convicted of 21 counts related to the case last month, is also heard in the recording, along with others linked to Feeding Our Future who have not been accused of wrongdoing, according to the conservative nonprofit. Gandi Mohamed, the brother of Ikram Mohamed and a defendant in the case as well, made a $2,500 donation (the maximum individual contribution allowed) days after Ellison met with the alleged fraudsters. Three more $2,500 donations linked to Feeding Our Future were accepted by Ellison’s campaign on the same d...