Mankato Man Pleads Guilty Money Laundering Feeding Our Future Fraud

Asad Mohamed Abshir, a 34-year-old man from Mankato, pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering for his role in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, which prosecutors describe as the largest pandemic fraud case in the country. Abshir and his brother Abdinasir Abshir falsely claimed to have provided 1.6 million meals to children through a nonprofit called Stigma Free International, operating a food distribution site in Mankato, but did not deliver the meals as reported. Abdinasir, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud earlier this year, paid Asad $750,000 from the fraud proceeds, which Asad partly used to purchase a 2022 GMC Sierra truck that has since been seized. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson highlighted that this plea exposes the widespread fraud hidden across Minnesota, involving shell companies and luxury spending rather than feeding children. Asad Abshir faces 18 to 25 months in prison and owes $750,000 in restitution, with his sentencing date yet to be scheduled. Meanwhile, co-defendant Hamdi Hussein Omar is slated for trial next month, and the overall case continues to unfold, with 48 convictions out of 72 defendants charged since 2022.