Asad Mohamed Abshir has admitted guilt to one count of money laundering related to the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. This marks the 48th conviction in this extensive fraud case.
“This guilty plea is another step in exposing the staggering levels of corruption that have been hiding in plain sight across Minnesota,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “This defendant laundered millions meant to feed children and funneled it into a web of shell companies and luxury spending. As FBI Director Kash Patel recently said, this case stands as one of the most egregious abuses of public trust in recent memory. The people of Minnesota deserve better.”
In 2020, Abshir, along with his brother Abdinasir Abshir, operated Stigma Free International under Feeding Our Future's sponsorship, claiming to run a food distribution site in Mankato, Minnesota. However, they failed to provide the meals claimed and wrongfully obtained taxpayer funds.
From 2020 to 2021, they falsely reported providing 1.6 million meals for children, with Abdinasir receiving approximately $750,000 personally. Asad Abshir used $77,353 from fraudulent proceeds for a luxury vehicle purchase which will be forfeited along with over $424,000 seized from his shell company’s bank account.
“Asad Abshir’s guilty plea underscores a troubling intersection of deception and exploitation within federal assistance programs designed to nourish vulnerable populations,” stated FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr.
The investigation was carried out by the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Abshir pleaded guilty before Judge Nancy E. Brasel in U.S District Court; sentencing is pending.
Acting U.S Attorney Joseph H Thompson along with Assistant U.S Attorneys Matthew S Ebert Harry M Jacobs Daniel W Bobier are leading prosecution efforts while Assistant US Attorney Craig Baune manages asset seizures/forfeitures
