Feeding Our Future fraud ringleader Aimee Bock sentenced to 41+ years

Aimee Bock, the convicted ringleader of the $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud scheme in Minnesota, was sentenced to more than 40 years in prison on Thursday. The judge handed Bock a 500-month sentence and ordered her to repay nearly $243 million to the federal government. Last year, a jury found her guilty on multiple criminal counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery. Prosecutors said she orchestrated the largest pandemic fraud case in the country, which diverted tens of millions in government money meant to feed hungry children. "Aimee Bock didn't participate in fraud, she orchestrated it, profited on it," Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebeca Kline said before the sentencing. "I don't have the words to express just how horrible I feel," Bock told the court Thursday. "I know I'm responsible. It's never been my goal to shift responsibility. I understand I failed to protect the program I was supposed to protect." Bock's attorney, Kenneth Udoibok, argued her crime was "a case of gross negligence." "I'm not saying she's not taking responsibility," Udoibok said. "What I'm saying is, if I can project the court to what Ms. Bock intended to do for this group of people. …