SCOOP: Marble-filled mansion once owned by Feeding Our Future fraudster hits the market for $2.1 million

A luxury home in Hennepin County once owned by a defendant in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme is now back on the market for $2.1 million — offering a glimpse into where some of the millions in stolen taxpayer dollars went.

Federal prosecutors say the home’s former owner, Feeding Our Future convicted fraudster Hanna Marekegn, obtained more than $7 million from the federal Child Nutrition Program intended to feed children during the pandemic.

Property records show Marekegn purchased the Medina home in 2021 for $1,260,000.

However, records show no mortgage associated with the property at the time of purchase, suggesting the home may have been bought with cash — during the same period she later testified she was “living very large” and the “American Dream life.”

Marekegn later forfeited the home as part of her plea agreement. Property records show the home was sold in 2023 to the current owners.

Luxury home purchased during fraud scheme

The property, located on more than two acres in the exclusive Tuckborough Farms community, is described in real estate listings as a five-bedroom, seven-bathroom luxury home featuring high-end finishes throughout.

Inside, the home features a grand foyer with 18-foot ceilings, a “statement chandelier,” floor-to-ceiling marble, and gold doors. Outside, the property sits on more than two acres and includes a heated in-ground pool.

Those elaborate marble finishes and gold doors are not mentioned in the property’s 2021 listing description. A Twin Cities buyer who previously inquired about the home told Alpha News that a realtor said the luxury upgrades were added while Marekegn lived there.

Fraud scheme claimed millions in fake meals

According to Marekegn’s guilty plea in federal court, she enrolled her company, Brava Cafe, in the federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future.

Between September 2020 and fall 2021, prosecutors say the company claimed to have served more than 2 million meals and obtained approximately $7.1 million in federal program funds.

In her application, Marekegn claimed the restaurant would serve meals to up to 4,000 children per day at its Minneapolis location. However, prosecutors said that claim was false. Instead, authorities say Marekegn submitted fraudulent reimbursement claims supported by fake paperwork and inflated meal counts.

Marekegn also paid kickbacks to Feeding Our Future in exchange for the nonprofit’s sponsorship of her company, according to prosecutors.

Feeding Our Future mastermind praised as ‘near-mythical’ figure

Alpha News previously reported that during Feeding Our Future mastermind Aimee Bock’s trial, Marekegn, an East African immigrant, told the jury that Bock was viewed as a near-mythical figure among those benefiting from the scheme.

“Aimee Bock was a god,” Marekegn testified. “She gave us the American Dream life. We were able to own houses, good cars. We were living very large.”

Marekegn recalled a celebration in 2021 where a group of East African women sang and praised Bock for her role in securing continued funding for the program.

The event was held in response to Bock’s legal battle and ultimate victory over the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), which attempted to cut off funding over suspected fraud.

Marekegn testified that Bock instructed her and others to call MDE and accuse the department of racism when it tried to stop payments. The pressure campaign apparently succeeded, as MDE ultimately backed down, allowing the funds to keep flowing.

Marekegn admitted under oath that the racism accusations were false.

Jenna Gloeb

Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.