The central figure in Minnesota's monumental childcare fraud scandal has broken her years-long silence from behind bars, offering a mixture of regret and defiance while the political repercussions continue to reverberate across the state and national stage.
First Public Remarks Since Conviction
In her first public interview in years, Aimee Bock, the 45-year-old founder and former director of the nonprofit Feeding Our Future, told CBS News from her jail cell that she deeply regrets how events unfolded. "I wish I could go back and do things differently, stop things, catch things," Bock stated, while simultaneously defending her actions and leadership. "I believed we were doing everything in our power to protect the program."
The $250 Million Scheme
Federal prosecutors have described Bock as the mastermind behind a sweeping $250 million fraud scheme that diverted taxpayer funds intended to provide meals for hungry children. According to court documents, the money was instead used to finance lavish lifestyles, including expensive vacations, real estate purchases, and luxury vehicles. Bock was convicted on all federal counts against her, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, and now awaits sentencing.
"The jury saw overwhelming evidence of what Bock knew," lead prosecutor Joe Thompson asserted following the verdict. "She was at the head of the scheme from Day One. She signed every single fraudulent claim that was submitted to the state of Minnesota."
Widespread Fallout and Community Targeting
The scandal has had far-reaching consequences. Nearly 80 individuals connected to Feeding Our Future have faced criminal charges, with more than 60 convicted or having pleaded guilty. Notably, all defendants are Somali-American except for Bock, who is white. This demographic detail has intensified scrutiny of Minnesota's welfare programs and fueled fresh fraud allegations specifically against Somali-run daycare providers.
The situation has escalated into a significant political issue, with former President Donald Trump labelling the state's Somali community "garbage" and telling them to "go back where they came from." The Trump administration subsequently increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minnesota, leading to multiple agent-involved shootings. One such incident, the fatal shooting of mother-of-three Renee Good on January 7, prompted state officials to sue the federal government, calling the actions an "unconstitutional invasion."
Bock's Defence and Counterclaims
Despite her conviction, Bock continues to plead not guilty and rejects the characterization of her as a criminal mastermind. "It was heartbreaking," she said of hearing the jury's verdict. "I believe in accountability. If I had done this, I would've pled guilty. I wouldn't have gone to trial. I wouldn't have put my children and my family through what we've been through. I've lost everything."
She downplayed assets seized during a 2022 raid on her home, describing them as minimal jewelry and some cash. Bock also claimed she actively worked to prevent fraud within the nonprofit, which saw its meal claims skyrocket from $3.4 million in 2019 to $200 million in 2021. "I was the only one that stopped a claim and said, this is fraudulent," she insisted. "There are tens of millions of dollars in claims that we did not pay, that we refused."
Program Evolution and Legal Battles
The operations of Feeding Our Future shifted dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic when rules changed to allow parents to pick up meals directly. This change led to a significant increase in participation from Minnesota's Somali community. However, state officials grew skeptical of some applications.
Following the killing of George Floyd, Bock filed a lawsuit accusing the state of discriminating against Somali applicants. She suggested that officials, wary of being labelled racist, eventually settled the suit and committed to faster application processing. State authorities later stated they felt intimidated by "the threat of legal consequences and negative media attention."
Political Denials and Broader Implications
Bock argued she did not act alone, noting that her claims were approved by state officials and that politicians, including Representative Ilhan Omar, visited meal sites. Multiple state officials, including Omar, have denied any prior knowledge of the widespread fraud. Omar expressed "deep concern" over the allegations in 2022.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, whose oversight has been heavily criticised—culminating in his recent announcement that he will not seek re-election in 2026—defended his administration's handling of the crisis. "Minnesotans are hard at work on this problem," he stated. He also condemned former President Trump's rhetoric, accusing him of "demonizing our Somali neighbors," calling it "disgusting" and "dangerous."
In response to the fraud, Trump has vowed to freeze billions in federal funds destined for Minnesota. Governor Walz has retaliated by accusing the former president of "wrongfully confiscating childcare funding that Minnesotans rely on," setting the stage for an ongoing political and legal battle with profound implications for the state's most vulnerable residents.
