Minnesota Daycare Owner From Viral Video Pleads Guilty to $5.5M Fraud and Trying to Flee the Country

A Minnesota daycare owner who gained notoriety in a viral video has pleaded guilty to defrauding state and federal programs of approximately $5.5 million. The individual, identified as Mahamud, admitted to pocketing more than $850,000 from the pandemic-era Feeding Our Future child nutrition scheme, along with $4.6 million in false claims submitted to Minnesota's federal Child Care Assistance Program.

Court documents revealed that Mahamud submitted fraudulent invoices and attendance records to obtain funds for meals that were never served to children. The scheme exploited a federal program designed to provide nutritious meals to low-income children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, Mahamud was charged with attempting to flee the country to avoid prosecution. Authorities apprehended him at an airport with a one-way ticket and a significant amount of cash.

The guilty plea marks a significant development in the broader investigation into fraud within the Feeding Our Future program, which has led to charges against dozens of individuals across Minnesota. Sentencing is scheduled for a later date.