A fugitive accused of helping orchestrate a $250 million Minnesota fraud scheme that exploited a federal child nutrition program was captured this week in Somalia after nearly four years on the run, federal authorities said.

Background of the Case

Abdikerm Abdelahi Eidleh, 42, of Burnsville, Minnesota, was taken into custody Thursday in Mogadishu, Somalia, according to the Justice Department. Prosecutors allege Eidleh was one of the architects of the ‘Feeding Our Future’ fraud scheme, which authorities have described as one of the largest fraud cases in Minnesota history.

Eidleh was charged in connection with the scheme on Sept. 13, 2022. He faces 31 counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, federal programs bribery, conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering.

‘This defendant was a central figure in one of the largest fraud schemes in Minnesota history,’ Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division said in a statement. ‘He not only stole taxpayer dollars, but he also robbed vulnerable children of critical resources they desperately needed,’ McDonald continued.

According to court documents, Eidleh was responsible for recruiting and supporting Federal Child Nutrition Program sites under the program’s sponsorship while working as an employee of Feeding Our Future. Prosecutors allege Eidleh, along with other members of the scheme, solicited and received bribes and kickbacks from individuals and companies seeking approval to operate fraudulent Federal Child Nutrition Program sites.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.