A federal jury in Minneapolis on Friday convicted five people who had been accused of embezzling millions of government dollars from programs aimed at feeding hungry children during the pandemic. Two others accused in the case were acquitted.

The trial, the first of what is expected to be several, lasted six weeks. It ended with a stunning revelation from a juror, who officials said was apparently given a gift bag crammed with $120,000 in a bribe attempt seeking acquittals. ...

The people on trial were Somali immigrants, ranging in age from 23 to 51 and living in various neighborhoods around the Twin Cities. Those convicted were Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, Mohamed Jama Ismail, Abdimajid Mohamed Nur, Mukhtar Mohamed Shariff and Hayat Mohamed Nur.

Said Shafii Farah and Abdiwahab Maalim Aftin, whose defense lawyers had said they had only minor roles in the food distribution operation, were acquitted.