A new investigation by The Daily Wire has renewed scrutiny of alleged connections between the family of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and individuals tied to Minnesota’s sprawling Feeding Our Future fraud case, though no criminal charges have been filed against Omar or her sister.
According to the report, Omar’s sister, Sahra Noor, registered a consulting business using the address of a Minnesota woman whose business records allegedly connect her to several people convicted in the federal fraud investigation.
The Feeding Our Future case, which federal prosecutors have described as one of the largest COVID-19-related fraud schemes in the country, centered on allegations that dozens of defendants fraudulently obtained millions of dollars through a federally funded child nutrition program. Multiple defendants have pleaded guilty or been convicted, while others continue to contest the charges.
The Daily Wire reported that the Minnesota House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee has been examining possible connections involving Omar. However, the committee did not obtain records from the congresswoman after Democrats blocked a proposed subpoena in May, according to the report.
The investigation also focused on Noor, who previously worked in Minnesota’s healthcare sector before founding Grit Partners Consulting.
According to The Daily Wire, Grit Partners states on its website that it has secured more than $20 million for public health initiatives and has consulted on projects supported by organizations including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Gavi and the World Bank.
State incorporation records reviewed by the outlet show Grit Partners was registered using a residential address in Lakeville, Minnesota.
The Daily Wire reported that the home is owned by Mashah Ahmed Ali and his wife, Ister Ahmed Afraa, also known as Ismahan Ahmed Afraa. According to the report, Afraa established multiple businesses with Hanna Marekegn, who pleaded guilty in 2022 to wire fraud connected to the Feeding Our Future scheme.
Federal prosecutors alleged Marekegn falsely claimed to serve thousands of children through meal distribution sites while diverting millions of dollars for personal use. Court records cited by The Daily Wire state Marekegn admitted to submitting false claims for reimbursement.
The report also states that Afraa had business ties to Aimee Bock, the founder of Feeding Our Future, who was later sentenced after her conviction in the fraud case. State records cited by The Daily Wire allegedly listed Bock as a contact for one of Afraa’s organizations.
The investigation further reported that state investigative documents indicate a person associated with Sunshine Care Center was introduced to Feeding Our Future by Sahra Nur, another individual who later pleaded guilty in the federal fraud investigation. The report notes that Sahra Nur and Sahra Noor are different people.
According to The Daily Wire, Noor later relocated to Africa after leaving her position at People’s Center Clinics & Services. The outlet also reported that Grit Partners has continued consulting work on projects funded by international organizations, including USAID.
