2 Minnesota Autism Therapy Providers Charged in $46 Million Medicaid Fraud Case
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- The Justice Department charged 15 individuals in Minnesota for attempting to defraud Medicaid and other social service programs of over $90 million, with key defendants linked to autism clinics submitting $46.6 million in fraudulent claims.
- Top officials, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services head Mehmet Oz, announced the charges in Minneapolis, highlighting the severity of the fraud.
- The crackdown follows increased federal attention on Minnesota fraud, partly spurred by President Trump and conservative media reports, which also led to a controversial immigration enforcement operation in the state.
- The immigration crackdown resulted in protests, the deaths of two American citizens, and the resignation of several experienced fraud prosecutors, complicating ongoing investigations.
- Officials declined to comment on the conduct of immigration agents or on pardons granted by President Trump to fraud convicts but indicated plans to expand the fraud investigation team in the coming months.