Three individuals have pleaded guilty to charges connected to the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. The total number of convictions in this case has now surpassed 50.
“This milestone marks an extraordinary achievement by our team and our law enforcement partners,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “For years, these elite federal agents and forensic accountants have tracked stolen money, cut through layers of deceit, and exposed a sprawling network of shell companies and fake meal claims. Their pursuit of justice has been relentless. Because of their work, we’ve uncovered not just one scheme, but a far-reaching fraud crisis that’s swamping Minnesota. This is public service at its finest. And this team is nowhere near finished.”
Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr., FBI Minneapolis, stated: “The Federal Bureau of Investigation takes immense pride in its pivotal role in securing 50 convictions to date, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to holding accountable those who illicitly appropriate funds meant for the nourishment of underprivileged children... These three guilty pleas underscore the gravity with which the FBI addresses fraud perpetrated against the government.”
Mahad Ibrahim admitted to defrauding the federal child nutrition program through ThinkTechAct Foundation (also known as Mind Foundry Learning Foundation), which he founded and led as President. He worked with other conspirators, including Abdiaziz Farah—who was convicted last year—in activities sponsored by Feeding Our Future and Partners in Nutrition across numerous sites in Minnesota.
Ibrahim acknowledged deliberately avoiding knowledge about his co-conspirators’ full activities while allowing his nonprofit to be used for fraudulent purposes in exchange for financial payouts. He also laundered some proceeds through another entity he controlled—MIB Holdings LLC—to purchase real estate in Ohio. Ibrahim’s actions resulted in millions of dollars lost from taxpayer funds; he pleaded guilty to one count each of wire fraud and money laundering.
Hamdi Hussein Omar participated with several others—including Salim Said, convicted earlier this year—in creating a fictitious food distribution site at a Waite Park strip mall market under her name as operator. Over several months, they falsely claimed to serve around 2,000 meals daily—totaling half a million meals—from that location.
Omar established Feeding Our Youth as a front company acting as food vendor for the operation and supported reimbursement claims using fabricated attendance rosters listing nonexistent children with fake ages. The resulting loss amounted to $1.4 million from taxpayer funds; Omar pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
Hibo Salah Daar was involved via Northside Wellness Center Corporation—a site she controlled—which enrolled in November 2020 under Feeding Our Future’s sponsorship for federal nutrition programs. Northside Wellness reported serving tens of thousands of meals monthly or weekly using false claims supported by fraudulent invoices.
Daar authorized payment of $72,000 in bribes to maintain operations within the scheme; losses tied to Northside Wellness reached $2.4 million from taxpayer funds taken under false pretenses. Daar pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigations, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Mahad Ibrahim entered his plea on July 24, 2025; Hamdi Hussein Omar and Hibo Salah Daar did so on August 1, 2025 before Judge Nancy E. Brasel at U.S District Court in Minneapolis. Sentencing dates are yet to be determined.
Prosecution is being led by Acting U.S Attorney Joseph H Thompson along with Assistant U.S Attorneys Matthew S Ebert Harry M Jacobs Daniel W Bobier; asset forfeiture is handled by Assistant U.S Attorney Craig Baune.
