Juror dismissed after corruption allegations in Feeding Our Future trial – ABC 6 News

(KSTP) – The sixth week of the federal trial of seven people accused in the massive Feeding Our Future fraud scheme got off to a surprising start Monday, when a juror was dismissed due to corruption allegations.

Authorities say someone showed up at the juror's home over the weekend and offered her a bag of cash to acquit the defendants.

Six men and one woman are charged in this first case stemming from the nation's largest pandemic-related aid fraud. They face various charges, including conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery worth $40 million.

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After jury selection, opening statements began in the final days of April. The defense continued its closing statements Monday after the juror was dismissed and the judge asked other jurors about illegal contacts.

Additionally, the judge also seized the defendants' phones as investigators probed corruption allegations.

Prosecutors said the defendants took advantage of relaxed rules related to the Federal Child Nutrition Program during the COVID-19 pandemic for their own gain. Defense attorneys said many of their clients never knowingly participated in any fraud and blamed nonprofit sponsors and the state.