Overview
- Federal agents arrested Shamso Ahmed Hassan and Hanaan Mursal Yusuf on charges including conspiracy to commit health care fraud, multiple counts of health care fraud, and money laundering tied to autism treatment providers.
- Prosecutors allege the scheme submitted about $46.6 million in Medicaid claims from 2020 to 2024 and resulted in roughly $21.1–21.2 million in taxpayer funds being paid out.
- The indictment says providers billed for services that were not provided, paid families monthly kickbacks of about $300 to $1,500 to enroll children, and concealed ownership ties to Smart Therapy Center LLC and Star Autism Center LLC.
- Authorities say some proceeds were used to buy assets and that funds were transferred abroad, including to Kenya, and reporting differs on whether both defendants remain in federal custody as court proceedings continue.
- Officials link the case to a wider federal crackdown on Minnesota fraud after earlier scandals and rising EIDBI spending, and federal agencies have pledged expanded strike‑force resources to pursue similar schemes.