Food scheme stole $250 million meant for low-income children in "the largest pandemic fraud in the United States," feds say

Federal authorities charged 47 people in Minnesota with conspiracy and other counts on Tuesday in what they said was a massive scheme that took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to steal $250 million from a federal program that provides meals to low-income children.

U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger called it "the largest pandemic fraud in the United States," CBS Minnesota reports.

Luger said the defendants are charged with federal crimes including "conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering and paying and receiving illegal kickbacks," the station reported.