Employees confronted executive director Aimee Bock about fraud as the FBI closed in, according to testimony at the Feeding Our Future trial.

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.

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.

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.

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

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,