Juror in Minneapolis Trial Receives $120,000 Bribe to Vote for Acquittal

A juror reported that she had a sack with $120,000 in cash delivered to her door.

A juror in a high-profile Minneapolis trial concerning $250 million in stolen pandemic aid reported receiving a bag containing $120,000 in cash and a note promising more money if she voted to acquit the defendants.

The bribe was delivered to the juror's home on Sunday evening, just hours before the jury was scheduled to return to court for closing arguments. Juror 52, a 23-year-old woman, was not at home when the bag was dropped off. Her family notified her of the delivery, and she immediately contacted the police.

“This is completely beyond the pale,” said Assistant US Attorney Joseph Thompson in court on Monday. “This is outrageous behavior. This is stuff that happens in mob movies.” Following the bribe attempt, all seven defendants in the case were arrested and taken back into custody.

There was a note promising more if she voted to acquit.

Juror 52 has since been dismissed from the trial, which involves allegations that members of the Minneapolis nonprofit Feeding Our Future stole over $40 million intended to feed children during the pandemic. According to the Sahan Journal, Juror 52’s father-in-law, who was home at the time, identified the woman who delivered the bag as being of Somali descent. The seven defendants are East African.

The FBI affidavit detailed that the bag contained rolls of $20, $50, and $100 bills. “This is for Juror 52,” the note read, according to the New York Times. “Tell her there will be another bag for her if she votes to acquit.” The cash and note were delivered in a Hallmark gift bag decorated with flowers and butterflies.

The bribe was delivered to the juror's home in on Sunday evening. AP

“It is highly likely that someone with access to the juror’s personal information was conspiring with, at minimum, the woman who delivered the $120,000 bribe,” the affidavit stated.

Before the trial resumed on Monday, the remaining 17 jurors and alternates were questioned about any attempts to bribe them. None reported receiving bribes, but US District Judge Nancy Brasel decided to sequester the jurors for the remainder of the trial. The seven defendants on trial are the first of 70 people expected to be tried in connection with the scheme, which cost taxpayers about $250 million. Eighteen others have already pleaded guilty.

The defendants were led from the courtroom in handcuffs on Monday after the alleged bribe was revealed.