A Chaska man has admitted to his involvement in a brazen fraud scheme that swindled $250 million from a federal program intended to feed needy children during the pandemic, as per the announcement by Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick, reports the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Mohamed Muse Noor, also known as “Deeq Darajo,” age 40, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud after court documents revealed he joined the scheme that took advantage of the federally-funded child nutrition program during a time when the world, grappling with COVID-19, had its attention directed at the health crisis uncertainties, it seemed easy pickings for fraudsters. Noor was recruited despite his lack of experience in nutrition programs or food services, and under the guidance of Abdikerm Eidleh, he submitted false paperwork with fabricated meal counts and invoices claiming to serve meals to 1,500 children daily.

The deceit ran deep with Noor’s sites reportedly receiving up to $1.3 million by falsely claiming to serve thousands of meals to children, the majority of which went to Eidleh without Noor’s knowledge, however, Noor did keep about $52,388 for himself. According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, “Almost all almost of the $1.3 million was either transferred to Eidleh or was intercepted by Eidleh without Noor’s knowledge.”

Following his guilty plea in front of U.S. District Court Judge Joan N. Ericksen, Noor’s sentencing will be scheduled for a later date, marking a small but significant victory for authorities including the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service who worked together to uncover the extent of this fraudulent plot that capitalized on funds meant for children in need.

The prosecuting team, led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph H. Thompson, Matthew S. Ebert, and Harry M. Jacobs, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Baune handling assets seizure and forfeiture, continues to push ahead with the case.