The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched an investigation into allegations that a Minnesota woman attempted to bribe a juror with $120,000 to secure a not-guilty verdict in a multimillion-dollar fraud trial.
Minnesota Woman Allegedly Bribes Juror in Multimillion-Dollar Fraud Trial
According to The Washington Post, the woman visited the juror's home on Sunday night or a day before a court hearing. She left a gift bag filled with $120,000 cash to a juror's relative and promised to give more money if the juror voted to acquit.
The 23-year-old woman juror, upon returning home, immediately notified the police and turned over the bag of cash. The case involved 70 defendants accused of defrauding the government of $250 million through pandemic relief funds for child nutrition programs.
The defendants tied to the Minnesota-based nonprofits Feeding Our Future and Partners in Quality Care allegedly spent the funds on luxury items and personal expenses rather than providing meals for children.
18 Pleads Guilty, 7 Still Stands Trial
So far, 18 individuals have pleaded guilty, and seven are on trial. They are facing wire fraud, bribery, and money laundering charges. Defense attorneys argued that their clients used the funds appropriately and blamed the overseeing nonprofits.
The trial took a dramatic turn with the alleged bribery attempt, leading to the seven defendants being taken into custody and confiscating their phones.
The juror's identity remains protected, and the identity of the woman who allegedly went to the juror's home is still unknown. The jury has been sequestered as deliberations proceed.
The FBI is now investigating the alleged bribe of the juror and jury tampering, which are felonies.
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