40 real diners, 6,000 claimed: Restaurant owner gets 30 years in $44M food fraud

Salim Said, owner of a Minneapolis restaurant, received a 30-year federal prison sentence on Wednesday for his role in a $44 million fraud scheme targeting the pandemic-era federal school meals program. U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel handed down the sentence after a trial that concluded in 2025, marking the latest conviction in a widespread investigation into state food assistance funds.

Said operated Safari Restaurant, which served Somali dishes. Prosecutors alleged he submitted reimbursement claims for 6,000 meals per day to the federal government. Court filings revealed that FBI surveillance footage captured only 40 individuals collecting food at his sites during that same period. The government stated that the children listed on the claims were entirely fictitious.

During his testimony at the 2025 trial, Said denied the allegations and argued that a large portion of the meals were delivered to off-site locations. At his sentencing on Wednesday, he expressed remorse. His defense attorney, Barry Zone, had argued for a 12-year sentence and disputed the government's claim that Said was the primary architect of the fraud. Judge Brasel rejected that argument, stating that Said used taxpayer dollars to enrich himself and damaged the state's reputation.

The fraud involved 21 consecutive months of fraudulent reimbursement claims. While the program typically provided food through schools, pandemic rules allowed restaurants to participate and distribute food in other locations. The government noted that Said used the proceeds to purchase a $1.2 million home, commercial real estate, and an $87,000 pickup truck.

Said was convicted on multiple charges in 2025. He was not the only person sentenced in the case. Aimee Bock, the leader of the Minnesota nonprofit Feeding Our Future, received a 42-year sentence earlier for devising the plan to recruit participants like Said into the federal program. State auditors reported that the Minnesota Department of Education received numerous complaints about the nonprofit but often instructed the group to self-regulate.

The case has drawn national political attention. President Donald Trump cited the Minnesota fraud when criticizing Democratic Governor Tim Walz. In January, Governor Walz announced he would not seek reelection following sustained pressure regarding the handling of federal funds in the state.