Monday marks the beginning of the trial of the alleged ringleader of a scheme that federal prosecutors say exploited the COVID-19 pandemic to steal $250 million from a program meant to feed children.

Opening statements began Monday in Aimee Bock’s trial in the Feeding Our Future fraud. Prosecutors say she was the mastermind while her attorney says she was a victim.

Seventy people have been indicted in connection to alleged fraud tied to Feeding Our Future, 30 of whom have already pleaded guilty. Five defendants were convicted at trial last year where authorities say people tied to the case tried to bribe a juror with $120,000. Some who have pleaded guilty have agreed to testify against Bock and Said.

Prosecutors label Bock the "mastermind" of the $250 million fraud scheme while her attorney points the finger at her codefendants, "clever liars", and MDE.

On the second day of testimony in the Feeding Our Future trial, Aimee Bock’s attorney pressed the Minnesota Department of Education about how it vetted food sites.

Feeding Our Future founder Aimee Bock, right, walks into court with her attorney Kenneth Udoibok at the U.S. District Courthouse in Minneapolis on Monday. Monday was the first day of opening statements in the trial for Bock and Salim Said,

Prosecutors on Tuesday called two witnesses in the trial of Aimee Bock, the founder and former executive director of Feeding Our Future.

Aimee Bock, the founder of the defunct Twin Cities nonprofit Feeding Our Future, is facing trial along with Salim Said, who co-owned Safari Restaurant on Lake Street.

Lul Ali testified that Aimee Bock coached her to participate in the Feeding Our Future fraud and “destroyed” the Somali community.