A high-profile federal fraud trial was disrupted earlier this week by allegations of attempted juror bribery. The trial involves seven defendants linked to the nonprofit organization Feeding Our Future, accused of misappropriating nearly $250 million from federal child nutrition programs.
The bribery incident came to light on Monday when a juror, identified only as Juror #52, reported receiving a bag containing over $120,000 in cash. The FBI confirmed the report, detailing that an unidentified woman delivered the money to the juror’s home. The relative who answered the door was told to relay to Juror #52 that they should vote “not guilty” in exchange for additional cash.
Juror #52 immediately reported the incident to authorities, leading to their dismissal and replacement with an alternate. The trial has been ongoing for seven weeks, and the jurors have faced increasing pressures as the case nears its conclusion.
The implications of this incident have been far-reaching. Another juror was dismissed on Tuesday after revealing they had heard about the bribery attempt from a family member. U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel, who is presiding over the case, decided to sequester the remaining jurors to prevent further tampering and ensure a fair trial.
In response to the bribery allegations, Judge Brasel ordered all seven defendants to be held without bond and confiscated their cell phones to aid the ongoing investigation. The FBI has not yet identified any specific defendants in connection with the bribery attempt, and the investigation is continuing.
“This is completely beyond the pale,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson stated. “This is outrageous behavior. This is stuff that happens in mob movies.”
Defense attorney Andrew Birrell described the accusations as “troubling and upsetting,” emphasizing the shock and gravity of the situation. The defense has questioned the quality of the FBI’s investigation, suggesting the case might be more about administrative errors than outright fraud.
Feeding Our Future is at the center of the case, accused of embezzling funds intended to feed low-income children during the pandemic. Prosecutors claim the organization, along with affiliated groups, produced false invoices for meals never served and laundered the proceeds through various shell companies. The misappropriated funds were allegedly used for luxury purchases, including cars, jewelry, and real estate.
This trial is just the beginning, as it involves the first seven of 70 expected defendants. Eighteen individuals have already pleaded guilty, with authorities recovering approximately $50 million so far. The remaining defendants include Aimee Bock, the founder of Feeding Our Future, who has pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing.
As the trial continues, Judge Brasel has emphasized the need for vigilance to ensure justice is served. The jurors, now sequestered, are expected to deliberate without further external influences. Closing arguments are set to proceed, with all parties keenly aware of the trial’s heightened stakes.
“This is a significant case with serious allegations,” Judge Brasel remarked. “We must ensure a fair and just process.”
The trial’s outcome remains uncertain, but the incident underscores the severe consequences of tampering with the judicial process. The FBI’s ongoing investigation will likely shed more light on the attempted bribery, and further developments are anticipated as the trial progresses.
