A former campaign associate of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) has pleaded guilty to participating in a multi-million-dollar pandemic food fraud conspiracy, adding to the growing controversies surrounding the congresswoman’s political orbit.
Guhaad Hashi Said, 49, described by some reports as an “enforcer” for Omar’s campaign, admitted in court to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The charges stem from a scheme targeting a federally funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Between December 2020 and January 2022, Said falsely claimed that his nonprofit, Advance Youth Athletic Development, served thousands of meals daily to underprivileged children. Incorporated in February 2021 and registered to a Minneapolis apartment, the nonprofit submitted inflated meal counts and fabricated invoices, claiming to have served over 1 million meals while providing only a fraction.
The scheme generated roughly $2.9 million in federal funds, much of which was transferred to a catering business or used to buy personal items, cars, and real estate through a network of shell organizations. Said now faces up to 25 years in federal prison.
While Omar has not been implicated, the conviction comes amid previous ethical and political controversies linked to her campaigns. In 2019, the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board found Omar’s state legislative campaign had violated reporting requirements, resulting in her reimbursing over $3,400 for improper use of campaign funds.
The broader investigation has already ensnared dozens of individuals. Muna Wais Fidhin, 44, was recently charged for defrauding taxpayer-funded child nutrition programs and operating counterfeit meal distribution sites. She is the 75th person charged in the ongoing case. Some political candidates, including state senator Omar Fateh and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have returned campaign contributions from individuals later implicated in the fraud.
The Feeding Our Future investigation highlights systemic vulnerabilities in pandemic relief programs and underscores the ongoing efforts by authorities to hold participants accountable.
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