Salim Ahmed Said, 37, the Somali-born co-owner of the Safari restaurant in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for his role in stealing $44 million from a taxpayer-funded program to feed disadvantaged children during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prosecutors revealed that Saeed claimed his restaurant served up to 6,000 meals daily, while FBI surveillance showed an average of only 40 people picking up food. Fraudulent claims even claimed children that did not exist.
Said and his partners used the scheme to obtain millions in public funds, which financed luxury purchases.
Convicted in 2025 of 21 counts of offenses that included fraud, bribery and money laundering, Said was also ordered to pay more than $44 million in restitution.