First Somali Immigrant To Chair Minneapolis Agency Pleads Guilty To Wire Fraud

A Somalian immigrant to the U.S. who chaired the board of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) pled guilty to federal wire fraud charges on Wednesday.

Sharmarke Issa of Edina, 40, facilitated a money laundering operation and gained millions through fake vendors for the Feeding Our Future (FOF) scam, according to prosecutors, Kare11 reported. His four co defendants have trials set for November.

Issa’s actions caused the Minnesota Department of Health and FOF sponsors to expend over $7.4 million in funds from the Federal Child Nutrition Program, court documents said.

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