DOJ charges 15 defendants accused of collectively defrauding $90 million

Key Points:

• Federal prosecutors announced charges against 15 defendants accused of defrauding $90 million from Minnesota government services, including Medicaid programs supporting vulnerable populations such as children with autism and the homeless.
• The alleged fraud involved billing for nonexistent services, fake diagnoses, and kickbacks, targeting seven state-managed Medicaid programs, with schemes including autism therapy centers, home support providers, and childcare assistance programs.
• Key defendants include Shamso Hassan and Hanaan Yusuf, accused of defrauding $46.6 million through autism centers, and others charged with submitting millions in false claims through various healthcare and childcare providers.
• Minnesota officials faced criticism from the Department of Justice for insufficient cooperation in combating fraud, while the state Attorney General defended the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit's record of convictions and restitution.
• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is withholding $350 million in Medicaid payments pending Minnesota's corrective action plan, with many providers failing to adequately respond to recertification demands aimed at preventing further fraud.