Rochester Woman Sentenced For Feeding Our Future Fraud Conviction
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester woman has been sentenced for her role in Minnesota’s Feeding Our Future fraud scheme.
Participated in Massive Pandemic Fraud Scheme
Fifty-one-year-old Zamzam Jama and others previously entered guilty pleas to federal charges connected to fraudulent reimbursement claims to the federal child nutrition program for thousands of meals they claimed to have served through a Rochester restaurant. The Office of the U.S. Attorney for Minnesota says Jama was an employee of the Brava restaurant and used proceeds from the fraud scheme to purchase a home in Rosemount and a vehicle.
She earlier entered a guilty plea to a money laundering charge.
Millions of Dollars in Fraudulent Reimbursements
Federal prosecutors say the southeast Rochester restaurant enrolled in the federal nutrition program under the sponsorship of the Twin Cities-based Feeding Our Future organization. The Rochester business claimed it served up to 3,000 meals to children daily, for a total of about 1.7 million meals. Overall, federal officials allege that the Brava restaurant operation received $5 million in federal funds through the nutrition program during the pandemic.
Prison and Restitution
Jama has been sentenced to six months in federal prison. She has also been ordered to pay more than $490,000 in restitution.
Others Awaiting Sentencing
The owner of the Brava restaurant, 37-year-old Sharmake Jama, and a principal in the business, 45-year-old Ayan Jama, along with Mustafa Jama, have entered guilty pleas in the case and are awaiting sentencing.
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