Minnesota Restaurateur Receives 30-Year Prison Term for Pandemic Food Program Fraud

A 37-year-old man convicted for his role in a large-scale fraud scheme targeting a United States food program in Minnesota during the COVID-19 pandemic has received a 30-year prison sentence. Salim Said, who operated Safari Restaurant in Minneapolis, was accused by government prosecutors of orchestrating $44 million in fraud by vastly overstating the number of meals provided to needy children.

Federal prosecutors stated that Said submitted fraudulent reimbursement claims for 21 consecutive months, utilizing fictitious names for children and claiming a daily distribution of 6,000 meals. According to court filings, FBI surveillance cameras recorded only about 40 people a day collecting food at his locations. The government reported that Said used the illicit funds to purchase a $1.2 million home, commercial real estate, and an $87,000 pickup truck.

During his 2025 trial, Said testified and denied the allegations, asserting that numerous meals had been delivered off-site. However, during his sentencing hearing, he expressed remorse. Defence attorney Barry Zone had requested a 12-year prison term and contested the government's characterization of Said as the primary architect of the operation.

US District Judge Nancy Brasel addressed the defendant during the hearing, stating that he took the reputation of the state down with him alongside taxpayers' dollars. Said was convicted alongside Aimee Bock, the leader of the Minnesota nonprofit Feeding Our Future, who received a 42-year prison sentence for devising the scheme and was ordered to repay $242 million.

The widespread fraud case has generated significant national scrutiny and political debate. President Donald Trump repeatedly criticized the scheme and targeted the Democratic governor for failing to prevent the thefts, citing the situation as justification for immigration enforcement measures. State auditors previously reported that the Minnesota Department of Education received multiple complaints regarding Feeding Our Future but directed the organization to police itself. Amid the ongoing criticism, Governor Tim Walz announced in January that he would not seek re-election.