Feeding Our Future 'architect' sentenced

Okay, let's take a look at some of our news headlines tonight. The so-called architect of the largest COVID-19 fraud scheme in the nation is sentenced to 30 years in prison. Saleem Sayeed and Feeding Our Future executive director Amy Bach were convicted last year of orchestrating the $250 million fraud scheme. Fox 9's Emily Pulfall was in the courtroom as Saeed was handed down his sentence. Saeed's reaction in court today was subdued, though his family and friends the gallery were visibly upset. The sentence today in prosecutors words is more than just a conclusion to this particular case. It's a mending of public trust in government institutions. Salim Saeed sitting in court Wednesday spoke just a few words to Judge Nancy Brazel saying, I'm deeply sorry for my involvement in this very serious case and I know better. Ending with a promise, you will never see me again on the wrong side of the law. Federal prosecutors say Saeed owned Safari restaurant where he claimed to serve 6,000 meals a day to hungry children during the pandemic. But FBI surveillance cameras documented an average of just 40 people showing up every day. In total, he's accused of stealing over 44 million from the government, some of which prosecutors say he used to buy a $1.2 million Plymouth home and luxury vehicles. The government tied Saeed to Feeding Our Future leader Amy Bach, arguing for a harsher sentence because while Mr. Saeed did not personally participate in every dollar that was stolen, he was one of the central players. Saying his fraudulent behavior will continue to impact this state for generations. Saeed's defense attorney did his best to separate Saeed from Bach, saying he's not the designer of the scheme. And in a more emotional appeal, explaining Saeed spent the first 15 years of his life in hell before fleeing Somalia, leaving him with a fear of having nothing and living on the street. Judge Brazel sentenced him to 30 years and ordered him to repay the 44 million he stole. Closing out her remarks with, it is my hope that one day the words Minnesota and fraud will not be spoken in the same sentence. The Feeding Our Future fraud prosecution has led to 70 convictions so far, most of them with far shorter sentences than Saeed's. After Saeed spends his time behind bars, he'll spend three years on supervised release and as a part of that, have to regularly give financial reports to a probation officer. In Minneapolis, Emily Pulfall, Fox 9.