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Yet another member of a family within Minnesota's Somali community is expected to plead guilty in a massive fraud scandal.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:34am

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An extreme close-up of a crumpled financial document, its details obscured by the harsh lighting, conveying a sense of the gritty, investigative nature of this fraud case.As the fraud scandal continues to unfold, this stark visual evidence highlights the scale and impact of the alleged crimes.Duluth Today

A 45-year-old Minnesota man named Gandi Mohamed is expected to plead guilty or enter a no contest plea on Thursday in a $14 million fraud scheme involving the federal child nutrition program. Mohamed is the sixth member of his family to be convicted in the case, which has drawn national attention and criticism of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison over a meeting he had with members of the family.

Why it matters

The fraud scheme has highlighted concerns about oversight and accountability in federal nutrition programs, as well as the role of political influence in such cases. The meeting between Ellison and the Somali community members, where potential fraudsters could be heard asking for more funding and campaign donations, has raised questions about the attorney general's involvement.

The details

Prosecutors say the Mohamed family fraudulently claimed to be serving meals through the federal child nutrition program, but instead pocketed $14 million. Gandi Mohamed is expected to either plead guilty or enter a no contest plea on Thursday. His plea would make him the sixth member of his family to be convicted in the case.

  • Gandi Mohamed's change of plea hearing is scheduled for Thursday, April 11, 2026.
  • The meeting between Attorney General Keith Ellison and members of the Somali community occurred in 2021, before any convictions in the case.

The players

Gandi Mohamed

A 45-year-old Minnesota resident who is expected to plead guilty or enter a no contest plea on Thursday in a $14 million fraud scheme involving the federal child nutrition program.

Keith Ellison

The Attorney General of Minnesota who met with members of the Somali community in 2021, before any convictions in the fraud case, and has been criticized for his involvement.

Dalia al-Aqidi

A Republican candidate running for Congress in Minneapolis against Rep. Ilhan Omar, who has criticized Ellison for his handling of the fraud case and called it a "betrayal of every Minnesotan who trusted him with that office."

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What they’re saying

“That's right.”

— Keith Ellison, Attorney General of Minnesota

“I took a meeting in good faith with people I didn't know and some turned out to have done bad things. I did nothing for them and took nothing from them.”

— Keith Ellison

What’s next

The judge in Gandi Mohamed's case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing concerns about fraud and abuse in federal nutrition programs, as well as the potential for political influence to play a role in such cases. It raises questions about oversight, accountability, and the need for stronger measures to prevent this type of fraud from occurring in the first place.