A jury found Emadeldin Ibrahim liable on April 28 for violating the Minnesota False Claims Act by submitting fraudulent reimbursement requests totaling $188,350 to the State of Minnesota. The verdict was reached after a four-day civil trial brought by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office on behalf of the Minnesota Department of Education and under its own authority.
The case centers on false submissions made under the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) during March, October, and November of 2021. According to evidence presented at trial, Ibrahim submitted 90,636 false claims for meals and snacks that were not delivered or did not comply with federal requirements.
The jury awarded $188,350 in damages to the state. Under the Minnesota False Claims Act, this amount will be automatically tripled. “The False Claims Act is a civil-law tool we have for holding fraudsters accountable, and I’m gratified the jury found Ibrahim guilty for his flagrantly fraudulent conduct,” Attorney General Keith Ellison said. “I’m proud of the team in my office that won the case and I appreciate the cooperation of the Minnesota Department of Education and federal authorities.”
Attorney General Ellison’s office argued that Ibrahim knowingly misrepresented his affiliation with the Sudanese American Community Association of Minnesota to participate in CACFP and knowingly submitted improper reimbursement claims.
Authorities were alerted when both Wells Fargo bank and representatives from the Sudanese Community Association noticed questionable deposits into their account. Wells Fargo then separated those funds and contacted Ellison’s office, which reviewed evidence before pursuing recovery through legal action.
In coming weeks, a court will decide on additional civil penalties under state law as well as attorney’s fees related to securing this verdict.
