A former campaign associate of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) has pleaded guilty to federal charges in connection with a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme that exploited a child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Federal prosecutors confirmed that 49-year-old Guhaad Hashi Said, once linked to Omar’s political campaign activities, admitted to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. The charges stem from his role in the wide-reaching Feeding Our Future scandal, which has become one of the largest pandemic-related fraud cases in the country.
Details of the Scheme
Court documents show that between December 2020 and January 2022, Said misused the Federal Child Nutrition Program, which provides funding to serve meals to underprivileged children. His nonprofit organization, Advance Youth Athletic Development, was at the center of the scheme.
Despite being registered in February 2021 to a Minneapolis apartment, the nonprofit submitted claims alleging it served thousands of meals daily. Beginning in March 2021, Said reported feeding 5,000 children per day. Over the next nine months, he claimed to have served more than one million meals, though prosecutors say only a fraction were ever provided.
Investigators found that Said fabricated records, including rosters, invoices, and attendance sheets, to justify reimbursements. The operation funneled approximately $2.9 million in federal funds to the nonprofit.
Where the Money Went
According to prosecutors, Said used shell companies and related organizations to disguise how the funds were spent. Between August and December 2021, he transferred more than $2.1 million to a catering company, allegedly for food purchases. However, large sums were diverted toward real estate, luxury vehicles, and personal expenses.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson described the case as part of a much broader pattern of fraud uncovered in Minnesota.
“These crimes are not isolated events. They are part of a web of schemes targeting programs that are intended to lift up Minnesotans and bleeding them dry,” Thompson said. “The scale of the fraud in Minnesota is staggering, and every rock we turn over reveals more.”
Legal Consequences
Said faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in federal prison when formally sentenced. His case marks the 52nd conviction tied to the Feeding Our Future investigation, which has already exposed dozens of nonprofits and individuals who misused federal pandemic aid.
Political Connections Raise Questions
While Rep. Omar has not been accused of wrongdoing, Said’s past connection to her political campaign has drawn renewed attention. His role as a campaign “enforcer,” as described by local media, has fueled criticism from opponents who argue that Omar’s political circles have faced repeated controversies.
A Broader Scandal
The Feeding Our Future fraud case has become one of the most significant examples of pandemic aid abuse, highlighting vulnerabilities in how emergency relief funds were distributed during COVID-19. Prosecutors continue to pursue additional suspects as part of what they describe as an “all-hands-on-deck” effort to recover stolen funds and restore public trust.
