Target In Federal Meals Investigation Arrested At MSP On Passport Fraud Charges
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Federal agents arrested a Twin Cities man tied to scheme to take millions of dollars earmarked for hungry kids as he boarded an international flight this week. Prosecutors charged Mohamed Ismail with passport fraud. He's also named in the federal investigation into Feeding our Future.
FBI agents caught up with 49-year-old Mohamed Ismail at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Wednesday. They arrested him on a jetway as he tried to board a flight with a final destination of Nairobi, Kenya.
He's named in an investigation into Feeding Our Future: a nonprofit that received more than $30 million in two years, claiming to feed hungry kids. It's alleged some of that money went to line bank accounts instead. The case remains open, with no charges so far.
Agents searched Ismail's Savage home in January, as part of the probe into where the federal child nutrition program funds went. Documents show he handed over his passport that day.
Last month, Ismail filed for another passport, claiming he lost his at home. So it was reissued. That led to Ismail's arrest on passport fraud.
The same day he was arrested, legislators held a hearing pressing for answers from the Department of Education about how fraud with Feeding Our Future could have happened.
While the federal investigation continues into where the money went, other nonprofits continue to provide meals for hungry kid, like Loaves and Fishes.
"It's all about the children, it's all about full tummies and making sure that no one is going to bed hungry," executive director Cathy Maes said.
Loaves and Fishes has been feeding children since the 1980s. Maes says they haven't felt the impact, yet.
"What I think will probably happen is more scrutiny on everyone who is feeding children and that probably should happen," Maes said.
Ismail has a hearing scheduled on Monday. We have not heard about our request for comment from his attorney.
So far no one has been charged in the Feeding our Future investigation. The FBI says it is ongoing.
